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ENGLISH

English Department: Statement of Purpose
The primary goal of the English program is to produce reflective, critical, and creative thinkers through
the language experiences of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Therefore, the English classroom
is an interpretive community in which students are engaged in transforming information and experience
into knowledge and understanding. The department encourages students to be active learners who
accept both the challenge and the responsibility for their own learning. Each year, as part of this
comprehensive program, students complete research projects and required summer reading. The
English program is delivered through a variety of survey courses and electives, as well as intervention
courses for students struggling with meeting the demands of NJDOE’s expectations for graduation.

Guidelines for Honors and Advanced Placement Courses:
The Honors and AP courses are designed for students who wish to challenge themselves academically
and desire a rigorous study of literature, language and composition. Even though there are no firm
prerequisites for admission into, and remaining in honors courses, it is important to carefully consider a
student’s past performance in English when selecting an appropriate course of study. AP and Honors
courses require students to complete additional coursework, read avidly, and widely, and maintain a
higher level of independent accountability than non-weighted courses. The English department offers
assistance in placement decisions through teacher recommendations, diagnostic assessments
describing cognitive readiness and core competency review materials. It is recommended that students
who wish to challenge themselves at the honors level have demonstrated strong performance in the
English class taken the year prior. In cases where students select a level that was not recommended,
the student and parent/guardian will be required to complete a waiver application. It must also be
understood that if a student takes an Honors English course and decides to drop it, the non-weighted
grade will transfer to his/her new class.

Semester Electives in English:
In an effort to address the Core Curriculum Content Standards in both Visual and Performing Arts and
Language Arts Literacy, the English Department offers semester course electives earning 2.5 credits.

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