Page 35 - 2025-2026 District Program of Studies Revised 3.24.25_Neat
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS OFFERINGS



        Students select English courses according to their prior achievement and their educational goals.  Four years
        of English are required.

        Students in all English Language Arts courses are expected to progress in their levels of independence and to
        engage in all requirements as set forth by New Jersey State Learning Standards for reading literature, reading
        informational  texts,  writing,  speaking  &  listening,  and  language.   They  will  be  required to engage in close
        readings  and  analysis  of  a  variety  of  narrative  and  informational  texts;  they  will  use  Writing  Workshop  to
        develop  and  produce  argument  essays,  expository  essays,  and  narrative  essays  or  stories;  and  they  will
        demonstrate  the  skills  associated  with  speaking,  listening,  grammar,  and  vocabulary.   Students  will  be
        expected to engage in independent reading selections in addition to assigned readings for whole-class literary
        study.   Independent  reading  selections  will  be  determined  based  on  students’  interests,  reading  levels,
        curricular themes, and personal choices.

        Research Requirements - All English courses require a major assessment that develops an argument using
        research.   This  assignment counts for 20% of the grade for the marking period in which it is assigned.   To
        receive credit for 11th and 12th grade Advanced Placement, Accelerated, or College Prep English courses, a
        student must complete a research assignment that meets English Department standards as stipulated in the
        written description of the assignment given by the teacher to the student.  Students in 11th grade will not
        advance to 12th-grade English, and students in 12th grade will not graduate if the research assignment
        requirement is not met.

        College Prep English courses fulfill the basic requirements for earning credits in English Language Arts.

        Accelerated English courses require that students possess above-average language skills and reading and
        writing abilities.   Students will be expected to handle independent work and research in a mature, scholarly
        manner.

        English Honors and Advanced Placement courses are open to those who apply and are selected.  These
        students excel in achievement as they pursue a rigorous program in literature, composition, and research.

        All required English courses, regardless of level, assign and assess summer reading*.

        Elective courses in English are designed to offer an in-depth study of specialized areas for students who have
        demonstrated  an  interest  and  competence.   While  elective  courses  do  not  replace  required  English
        courses, some of them do satisfy criteria for the Visual and Performing Arts requirement.

        Students  with English credit deficiencies are not permitted to take two English courses in one year
                th
        until 11  grade and cannot enroll in more than two English courses per school year.























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