During the 2016-2017 school year, Dougherty Valley will implement many changes that affect various aspects of the student body as the school adapts to new standards and new developments.  Here are some important ones to note.

CAASPP testing (sophomores and juniors)

This year, the CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) will take place from Apr. 18-May 26. Juniors will take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment in English Language and math. This is a computer-adaptive test, which means that if a question is answered correctly, the next question may be more difficult, and if a question is answered incorrectly, the next question may be less difficult. In addition, sophomores will take a science CST (California Standards Test), a multiple choice paper test that assesses their knowledge of Biology and Life Science. These new assessments align with the Common Core state standards developed in 2014. During this time, the CAHSEE will remain on hold. This will also carry over to the 2016-17 school year.

CTE Courses (all grades)

Next year, all students participating in a CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization), such as DECA, HOSA and FBLA, will be required to take a CTE course. To participate in DECA and FBLA, students must take Intro to Business and Entrepreneurship. To participate in HOSA, students must either take Biotechnology Accelerated and Research, or Biological Sciences Laboratory Research. Once a student takes a CTE class in a specific field, the student will not be required to take the class again to participate in a CTSO of that field.

AP Seminar(juniors)

Established by College Board in 2014, AP Seminar is a new elective class taught by English teacher Ms. Kate Karlin and science teacher Mrs. Jennifer Hunau that will be available to juniors next year. The course focuses on analysis and synthesis in research, in either humanities or STEM. Students will focus on skills in writing, reading and researching, encouraged to investigate ideas and grow their intellectual curiosity. The AP test includes a team project and presentation, an individual essay and presentation and a traditional AP exam.

AP World/AP Euro (upperclassmen)

Upperclassmen will have the option to take AP World History or AP European History as social studies electives. These are currently only open to sophomores.

New schedule (all grades)

During the 2016-2017 school year, finals will take place before winter break, and second semester will start immediately upon students’ return in January. This means school will begin on Aug. 15 and end on June 1.