Non Department Courses

• Credits: 5

• Required for graduation

This course emphasizes current individual and community health issues. The physical, mental, social and emotional aspects of health problems are discussed. The first-aid portion of this course emphasizes safety procedures and basic first-aid techniques. Upon completion, the student will be able to:

1. Identify major communicable diseases

2. Identify available health services in the community

3. List the effects of hazardous substance abuse on the individual and the society

4. Understand life-saving techniques, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the abdominal thrust maneuver (choking), and other appropriate emergency techniques for burns, bleeding, broken bones, poisoning and shock

5. Explain the function of various parts of the human reproductive system

6. Identify the symptoms and causes for various STD’s

• Recommended Placement: IEP Team Recommendation 

• Credits: 5

Directed Health is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on the essential standards of Health. Enrollment in this class is based on an IEP team recommendation, and the curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations, modifications, and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

• Credits: 5 per semester

• Not College Prep

Study Skills is a course designed to support students in their core academic classes.  The course provides students with ample time to work on assignments from those core classes.  It is structured with routines and procedures that help students build time-management and self-advocacy skills.  Some of those routines include keeping a planner updated, setting daily academic goals, and completing weekly grade-checks.  Student progress is monitored closely and on an individual basis in order to tailor each student’s experience to their specific academic needs.

• Recommended Placement: Individualized Education Plan with this service (IEP)

• Credits: 0-5 (variable credit)

Directed Studies is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, offered to support the general education curriculum. In this class, students review daily coursework, preteach and reteach concepts, organize and prioritize coursework, clarify directions, study for assessments, retake or finish assessments, learn organization and study skills, receive assistance with long-term projects, and develop college and career readiness. Enrollment in this class is based on an IEP team recommendation, and the course focus is based on the student's individual needs (accommodations, modifications, and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Directed Learning Strategies is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, offered to support the general education curriculum and social emotional learning. In this class, students review daily coursework, preteach and reteach concepts, organize and prioritize coursework, clarify directions, study for assessments, retake or finish assessments, learn organization and study skills, receive assistance with long-term projects, develop college and career readiness and expand their knowledge of the five social emotional learning core competencies. Enrollment in this class is based on an IEP team recommendation, and the course focus is based on the student's individual needs (accommodations, modifications, and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

Functional Technology focuses on the applications and uses of technology such as computers, web browsers, text editors, and other electronic skills needed to adapt in a modern world. Students will be taught skills such as emailing, creating documents, signing in, researching, and finding information online.

Functional Fundamentals of Art focuses on core skills needed to navigate tools and curriculum in a modified art class. Projects promote student independence, flexibility, and creativity. Projects in the class rotate on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, with a focus on a different skill that can be applied to the real world. Some skills that are emphasized but not limited to are cutting, coloring, modeling, following extended instructions, shape tracing, and fine-motor manipulation.

This course is a special education course designed to help students develop employability skills and to help them get ready to work. Pre-vocational activities will be worked on in a classroom setting. Depending on each student’s individual needs and skill level the course offers students the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of essential job skills both social and academic.

Functional Life Skills is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on teaching essential independent living skills, community safety skills, and the ability to make healthy life choices. Daily living skills such as cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, mobility training, social skills, self-advocacy skills, as well as various recreation/leisure activities will be emphasized to improve each student’s quality of life. Enrollment in this class is based on an IEP team recommendation, and the curricular focus is based on the student’s individual needs (accommodations, modifications, and identified goals) agreed to by the IEP team.

• Recommended Placement: IEP Team Recommendation

• Credits: 10

Practical Life Skills is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, focused on increasing student knowledge and skills necessary for daily living, targeting decision making and problem solving in the areas of post-secondary goal-setting, employment, and independent living. In this course, students will learn why Life Skills are important in the real world. Students will have the opportunity to work individually and in groups on differentiated content.

Instructional Goals:

1. Build on previous knowledge of topics to enhance understanding and application of Life Skills concepts

2. Develop post-secondary short and long term goals

3. Understand vocabulary used on employment forms

4. Utilize various strategies to appropriately communicate with peers and team members

5. Improve understanding of basic phone, computer, and technology skills

6. Practice real life applications of communication, personal safety, and consumerism

7. Develop confident speakers and thoughtful listeners

8. Apply critical thinking skills to solve problems and evaluate situations

9. Evaluate one another’s thinking through teacher-facilitated conversations

• Credits: 5 per semester

• College Prep Elective Course: Students need to complete the application and interview process and be selected to be enrolled in the course

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an in-school academic support program for grades nine through twelve. AVID students typically have a GPA between 2.0 and 3.5 (i.e., grades are mostly B's and C's, and sometimes D's), demonstrating they have potential but need extra support to reach their full potential.

AVID students must have a desire to pursue higher education and a willingness to work hard.

The purpose of the program is to reinforce academic, social, and emotional support in order to prepare students for college eligibility and success. The AVID program does this in a variety of ways, such as engaging in productive challenges by placing students in advanced classes or empowering students of all educational backgrounds to pursue higher education:

• Students are taught study skills, note-taking methods, time management, writing, and research skills, all while being immersed in a college-going culture
• Included in the class is a weekly tutorial session facilitated by college students
• This is a student-led process that gives students the agency to problem-solve any questions they may confront in an academically rigorous curriculum
• Students report that AVID helps students form a collaborative community they can draw on as a resource throughout their high school career
• Additionally, the AVID class provides access to information about colleges, universities, the admissions process, and career paths through field trips, research projects, guest speakers, college tutors, scholarship opportunities, and more
• Students who enroll in AVID must complete the application, interview process, and make a commitment to follow the practices and strategies of the class, challenging themselves by taking at least one AP or Honors course, and agreeing to participate fully in class activities and projects

• Recommended Placement: This class is for elected and appointed Student Body officers only

• Credits: 10

There are two available positions for Freshmen students: 

• Freshman Class President

• Freshmen Class Vice President

These are elected positions and the candidate election form will be available on the first day of school. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Have experience in major leadership practices

2. Understand how a leader participates in the democratic process

3. Know and be able to work within parliamentary procedural guidelines

4. Learn through experience program planning (long and short-range). Plan for and carry out elections

5. Understand financial procedures and responsibilities as they pertain to the school ASB budget

6. Demonstrate and practice the communication, trust, and interpersonal skills necessary to be an asset to a team.

7. Develop intra-school relationships.

8. Utilize successful publicity techniques.

9. Evaluate events.

Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time including some summer camp/work days.

• Recommended Placement: Must have an active work permit and be currently employed

• Credits: 1 credit per 40 hours (variable)   

Community Work Experience is a program that develops skills, habits and attitudes conducive to job success, personal growth, and to help students prepare realistically and wisely for a career.

Students enrolled in Community Work Experience who are under the age of 18 must apply for a work permit.

• Info regarding a work permit

Students with a Work Permit will have the following employment restrictions:

1. The maximum allowable work hours are 28 hours per week and no more than 4 hrs/day on school nights

2. Students cannot work after 10:00 p.m. on school nights or after 12:30 p.m. on other nights

3. Students may not work 7 consecutive days

4. Students may not work more than 8 hours/day

Expectations & Guidelines

• Students in Community Work Experience must maintain their job and notify coordinator if there is a change in status.

• To enroll in Work Experience please contact Aaron Ruiz: aaronruiz@iusd.org

• The maximum number of allowable credits is 5 per semester.  A limit of 20 credits combined of Work Experience and Student Assistant/Peer Tutor will count toward graduation.  Work Experience is a non college prep class.

• Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and have no more than 3 detentions outstanding to remain in the Work Experience Program.

• All required forms, time cards, and related instruction must be completed on time.

• Recommended Placement: Must apply and be in good standing

• Credits: 5

• Credit Plus Class Only

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to assist administration, counseling, teaching, or other certificated staff during a period of the school day. The student aide supports the ongoing work of the staff member by assisting with routine tasks such as room set-up, lab preparation, prep of class materials, review of student work, peer assistance/tutoring, running errands on campus for the teacher, and other tasks as assigned. The job involves clerical duties such as record keeping, reporting, photocopying, etc. Student aides must exhibit behaviors that align with the mission & values of Irvine High School.   

The Student Aide must demonstrate the following:

1. Ability to follow directions & learn new tasks

2. Analytical and problem solving skills

3. Decision making skills

4. Effective verbal and listening communications skills

5. Time management skills

6. Leadership skills

The Student Aide must maintain strict confidentiality in performing duties and be/have:

1. Respectful

2. Culturally aware and sensitive

3. Flexible

4. Sound work ethics

5. Consistent and fair

6. Compassionate and understanding 

Credit earned is based on attendance & performance.  Excessive absences, excused or not, will result in less than full credit or no credits being awarded.  No more than 10 credits of Student Assistant may be counted toward graduation.  A limit of 20 credits combined of Work Experience and Student/Teaching Assistant will count toward graduation.  Student Assistant is a non college prep class that earns a grade of Pass or Fail.

Pursuant to Education Code Section 51228.1; 5 CCR section 1700, Student Assistant does not contain educational content required for graduation from a California High School. 

Guidelines for students:

• As a credit plus course only

• Grades 11 & 12 only

• Maximum of 10 credits earned in high school

• Only 1 class period per semester