A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Term/Acronym |
Definition |
| A | |
| ACT | The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Math, Reading and Science. The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests and a 30-minute writing test. For more information see: http://www.actstudent.org/index.html |
| AP | Advanced Placement: AP courses are rigorous courses that follow a curriculum mandated by the College Board. Exams and papers during the year are prepared and graded by B-CC teachers. AP exams given in May are prepared and graded by the College Board. Some colleges give credit or allow students to opt out of a course if the student passes the exam with scores of a certain level (e.g., 3 out of the 5 point scale). For more information on AP courses at B-CC, please go to http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/academics/apcourses/index.html |
| ATMS | Academy of Technology Math and Science: The B-CC High School Academy of Technology, Mathematics & Science (ATMS) is a program that begins in the 9th grade and embraces and operates within the parameters of the Middle Years Program. The Academy seeks to develop the IB philosophy of integration of coursework across the curriculum and it is dedicated to fostering and fulfilling the interest that students exhibit towards Technology, Mathematics and Science. The ATMS is a program designed to attract students who have a passion and a strong aptitude for the Academy’s discipline areas. The program offers an accelerated and advanced curriculum in math, science, and technology. Students will take a minimum of 12 credits of coursework within the Technology, Mathematics and Science Fields during their high school career. For more information http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/academics/atms/index.html |
| B | |
| BCR | Brief Constructed Response: Basically a paragraph. |
| C | |
| CLEP | The College-Level Examination Program® provides students of any age with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses. There are 2,900 colleges that grant credit and/or advanced standing for CLEP exams. For more information on the B-CC web site, see: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/counseling/test.html For more information from the College Board web site, see: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html These exams are not directly applicable for our B-CC students, but could be of benefit to others within the larger B-CC community (parents, older siblings, etc.). |
| E | |
| ECR | Extended Constructed Response: A writing exercise with multiple paragraphs. See BCR. |
| ESOL | English for Speakers of Other Languages: For more information see: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/academics/depts/esol/index.html |
| F | |
| FAFSA | Free Application For Federal Student Aid: Use this application to apply for federal student grants, work-study aid, and loans. You may also use this application to apply for most state and some private aid. FAFSAs are available in the Career Center the second week of December. It is strongly recommended that you send your completed FAFSA by January 2. The FAFSA form is free. There is no good excuse for not applying. Moreover, many colleges require a FAFSA to be on file in order for a student to be considered for their school's merit-based scholarships or awards. It is therefore imperative that every student file a FAFSA so that all financial aid opportunities, need-based or merit-based, can be explored. For more information on the B-CC site, see: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/counseling/finance.html For more information from the FAFSA site itself, see: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm Each year, the GAC does a program on filling out the FAFSA forms. |
| G | |
| GPA | Grade Point Average: To calculate a GPA, a 4 is assigned to an A, a 3 to a B, a 2 to a C, and a 1 to a D. For more information, see http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/policy/pdf/ikcra.pdf See also WGPA below. |
| H | |
| HSA | Maryland High School Assessments (HSA) are rigorous
end-of-course tests in Algebra 1/Data Analysis, Biology, English
9, Geometry, and NSL Government. These assessments are a key component
of the Maryland Assessment Program. The Maryland State Department
of Education (MSDE) has designed the tests to measure student achievement
and school performance. Currently, students are required to take
them if enrolled in the appropriate course. Passing scores were
established in summer 2003 by the State Board of Education. Starting with the class of 2009 on, passing these tests will be requirements for graduation. Some of the exams are also used to calculate whether high schools have met achievement targets set under the federal No Child Left Behind law. For more information, please go to http://www.mdk12.org/mspp/high_school/ |
| I | |
| IB | International Baccalaureate. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program was founded in 1965 to provide a rigorous, well-rounded education for students throughout the world so they would qualify for university study no matter where they had pursued their high school education. The IB Program, therefore, has a common, broadly based curriculum. It is assessed by internationally developed and graded oral and written examinations. The IB Program is unique in that it provides a liberal arts, interdisciplinary education leading to a diploma, which is recognized throughout the world. Students pursue studies in English, foreign language(s), experimental sciences, mathematics, social studies, and an elective. Teachers provide interdisciplinary instruction whereby students study common processes, themes, and materials within and across the subject areas. At B-CC, students can opt to take a few IB classes (certificates) or to go for the full IB diploma. Also, there is no testing to get into B-CC’s IB program (though prerequisites may be required). For more information on B-CC’s program see: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/academics/ibprogram/aboutib.html |
| M | |
| MCPS | Montgomery County Public Schools: See http://www.mcps.k12.md.us for more information. |
| MSA | Maryland School Assessments: The Maryland
School Assessment (MSA) replaced the Maryland School Performance
Assessment Program (MSPAP). In response to requirements of No Child
Left Behind (NCLB) federal mandates, it provides national norm-referenced
and Maryland criterion-referenced data. The norm-referenced items
provide national percentile ranks to describe how well a student
performed in reading and mathematics compared to his/her peers nationally.
The criterion-referenced items provide proficiency scores (expressed
as Basic, Proficient, or Advanced proficiency level) to describe
how well a student has mastered the reading and mathematics content
specified in the Maryland Content Standards. Find out more about Maryland School Assessment at http://www.mdk12.org/instruction/assessment/index.html |
| MYB | Middle Year’s Program: The International
Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP) is designed for students
aged 11 to 16. In the B-CC cluster, MYB is implemented at Westland,
Chevy Chase and North Chevy Chase as well as B-CC in the 9th and
10th grades. Unlike the IB program in 11th and 12th grades which
is optional, all students at B-CC in the 10th and 11th are in the
MYB program. For more information on MYB at B-CC, see: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/academics/middleyearsprogram/index.html For more information on MYB globally, go to http://www.ibo.org/myp/ |
| N | |
| NACAC | The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), “founded in 1937, is an organization of more than 9,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education.” The NACAC form is accepted at all colleges for admission. For the form, see: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/counseling/forms/form_nacacschrpt.pdf For more information about NACAC see: http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/AboutNACAC/ |
| NAVIANCE | See TCCi |
| NMSQT | National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test: See PSAT |
| P | |
| PSAT | Preliminary SAT: The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test ) is a shorter version of the SAT and includes the same types of critical reading, math, and writing skills multiple choice questions as the SAT® Reasoning Test. It also has a diagnostic component providing skills feedback. Administered in all MCPS high schools each year in October to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, the PSAT/NMSQT aids high schools in the early guidance of students planning for college. For the 11th graders, the test also serves as the qualifying test for scholarships awarded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. 9th and 10th graders in all MCPS high schools take the test for no fee (paid for by MCPS). 11th graders are encouraged to take the test, but are required to register and pay a small fee. For more information on the PSAT, see: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html |
| PTSA | Parent Teacher Student Association: For more information on B-CC's PTSA, go to http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/ptsa/index.html |
| S | |
| SAT | Scholastic Aptitude Test: The test of developed language skills and mathematical reasoning abilities (formerly called SAT I), given on specified dates throughout the year at test centers in the United States and other countries. The SAT is required by many colleges and sponsors of financial aid programs. http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/counseling/test.html For more information from College Boards which administers the test, see: http://www.collegeboard.com/splash |
| SAT I | See SAT |
| SAT II/SAT Subject Tests | Tests in specific subjects (formerly called the SAT II), given at test centers in the United States and other countries on specified dates throughout the year. The tests are used by colleges not only to help with decisions about admissions but also to assist in course placement and exemption of enrolled first-year students. Find out more at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about/SATII.html |
| SGA | Student Government Association: For more information see: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/activities/sga/index.html |
| SSL | Student Service Learning: The State of Maryland recognizes that well educated citizens must understand their responsibilities as part of the community. As such, students enrolled in MCPS or entering for the first time during Grade 6 or Grade 7 are required to have 60 hours of service learning prior to graduation. For those entering Grade 8 and above, the hour requirement is prorated. For more information http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/academics/ssl/index.html |
| T | |
| TAP | Time for Academic Progress: Time for Academic Progress is an after-school tutoring program at B-CC for all students who seek to do better in their courses. With funding from the B-CC High School Educational Foundation, TAP is now available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:15 to 3:15pm, in English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. For more information http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/bcchs/academics/tap.html |
| TCCi | The B-CC TCCi provides information on colleges, historical acceptance trends, and scholarship listings. It helps students with college searches and college comparisons. It also has the college visit schedule and B-CC students' college acceptance and enrollment history since 1998. This site is for all B-CC High School students. All juniors and seniors can obtain a registration code to set up a personalized account. Freshmen and Sophomores use the site as guests. Come to the Counseling Department to obtain the guest password to enter the site. For further information, contact the College/Career Center. Note: The company is changing its name to Naviance. |
| TOEFL | Test of English as a Foreign Language: The TOEFL is designed to determine the English proficiency of students whose native language is not English. These students may take the TOEFL in addition to the SAT I or ACT. Students call (301) 718-9893 (Bethesda) or (301) 314-0319 (College Park) to schedule a convenient testing time at least six weeks in advance of the desired testing date. TOEFL is a computer-based test. Information bulletins are available in the Career Center and the Counseling Office or by calling 1-800-GO TOEFL, or by visiting the website at http://www.toefl.org |
| W | |
| WGPA | Weighted Grade Point Average An additional quality point is added to grades of "A" and "B" in all honors courses and to a grade of "C" in advanced placement and advanced level courses to determine WGPA. For more information see http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/policy/pdf/ikcra.pdf |
* If you have suggestions for other items to be added to the list, please send them to Michaela Barnes, Co-GAC Chair.