THOMAS JEFFERSON ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE
Ipsa scientia potestas est.
TEACHER/STUDENT HANDBOOK
2010-2011
“Aristotle compared the mind of man to a blank tablet on which nothing was written, but on which all things could be engraved. There is, however, this difference, that on the tablet the writing is limited by space, while in the case of the mind, you may continually go on writing and engraving without finding any boundary, because, as has already been shown, the mind is without limit.”---John Amos Comenius, The Great Didactic, 1649.
Thomas Jefferson Academy of Excellence Academic Handbook. Publisher: AWBU Media. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Thomas Jefferson Academy of Excellence (TJAE) is a registered private school with the Florida Department of Education as defined under Florida Statute 1002.42. The FLDOE does not set specific standards and/or policies for private schools registered within the Sunshine State other than stipulations defined in Florida Statutes. The academic standards, tuition rates, academic administration fees and school policies/procedures for each registered private educational institution vary as a result of each entity’s autonomy.
The teacher/student handbook for TJAE is provided for registered students of the school and protected by copyright. Teachers and students are required to read through the handbook in order to become acquainted with the history, mission and purpose of TJAE, as well as the expectations of the teacher/student population. Registration with TJAE will not be considered complete until the handbook has been reviewed by the registrant and approved by their signature on school application. Questions regarding the content of the handbook are welcomed and encouraged by contacting either Headmaster Virginia Moore or Headmaster Regina Hicks.
School Contact Information:
Virginia Moore, Headmaster
Regina Hicks, Headmaster
www.thomasjeffersonacademyofexcellence.org
History: Thomas Jefferson Academy of Excellence began as a shared vision among veteran home educators who not only incorporated the classical and Thomas Jefferson methodology within their own homeschools but also advocated these learning styles to prospective, new and veteran homes educators. Seeing the growing trend of classical/Thomas Jefferson education and the desire to establish a private school incorporating the educational methodology outlined in the classical and Thomas Jefferson approach, Thomas Jefferson Academy of Excellence was established as a private school in 2008. During its first year, TJAE provided course instruction for grades 7-12. With the interest in the unique educational instruction of TJAE, grades 1-6 were added to enrollment the following year. Entering its third year of operation, TJAE continues to grow in attendance.
For further reading on Thomas Jefferson Education, please see: http://www.tjedonline.com/about
http://www.curriculumconnection.net/thomasjeffeducation.htm
For further reading on Classical Education, please see:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/classical-education/
http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/trivium.html
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/
“To partner with parent educators through the methodology of a classical/Thomas Jefferson education by incorporating the tools of learning and encouraging the equipping of TJAE students to use these tools in the area of academics, allowing them to master the subjects of academia and become independent, lifelong learners.”
Code of Ethics:
The partnership between TJAE Administrative Staff and the teacher/student body is a key factor to the success of each registrant. As a non-traditional private school, each parent educator that registers with the school, serves as a non-compensated teacher for the academy and therefore represents the student and administrative body at large. A code of ethics provides a blueprint for a commitment to TJAE students, teachers and community.
Commitment to students—TJAE teachers/administrators will: clearly communicate the expectations of TJAE, encourage, guide and develop the educational potential of each student through the TJAE educational methodology and abide by policies/procedures of TJAE.
Commitment to TJAE(administrative/teaching body)---Teachers shall maintain professional attitude and act with integrity in regard to the teaching profession by abiding policies/procedures of the school; teachers (parents) shall refrain from disclosing sensitive information about TJAE teachers (parents)/administrative body obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure is required by law; teachers (parents) shall not contact public and/or private school districts to report negligent school conduct (opinionated or otherwise) without administrative approval. [Note: reporting confidential information regarding portfolio reviews/progression of students to school districts other than your own student will result in the dismissal of parent educator and student from TJAE. It’s vitally important, TJAE parents understand, students registered with TJAE are private schooled students and portfolio information is private and confidential. Becoming the “homeschool police” will not be tolerated by TJAE registrants.]
Commitment to Society---TJAE administrative and teaching body will maintain the highest standard of professional conduct and personal integrity when acting on behalf of TJAE. As a private school teacher in a non-traditional private school, administrative/teaching body must be aware “we” are all part of the homeschooling community at large. Though not everyone will choose the school choice option of home education (via registering with school district or non-traditional private schools), the behavior/conduct of one homeschooling family does have a reflection on the homeschooling community at large.
TJAE Policies/Procedures: Registrants with TJAE are required to submit attendance records, application documentation and immunization records (or waivers) to the school. Attendance records are to be reported two times per academic year (end of each semester) and dates for submission will be given at beginning of each academic year. Registrants are required to use the approved TJAE attendance chart provided by TJAE administrative body. If student is transferring to TJAE from another private school during current school year, the attendance records (as well as transcripts) from said private school will be the responsibility of the parent. Immunization records and/or waivers are to be submitted upon registration and updated each school year if changes have been made. Parents will be provided an immunization form in regard to any changes made during the summer or school year.
Policies pertaining to curriculum and/or reading lists will be distributed to prospective and current student body of TJAE. Understanding TJAE is comprised of a classical/Thomas Jefferson methodology, reading list, selected curriculum and other information pertaining to the education of the registered student must be submitted to TJAE on appropriate documentation provided to the parent. As a non-traditional private school, TJAE provides the parent educator the freedom to direct and select the instructional method and curriculum for their students. However, any changes in core curriculum such as math or science texts must be communicated to TJAE administrative staff to ensure the benchmarks of the curriculum meets graduation requirements for the student. Parents are required to advise TJAE Administrative Staff of any online courses their students are participating in. (See course of instruction). To review suggested curriculum and reading list, see educational requirements.
Course of Instruction for TJAE:
While TJAE is a registered private school, the design and format of instruction is based upon each teacher’s (parents) implementation. TJAE does not restrict or enforce class time, structure or definition. TJAE teachers are free to design their course of study for their students. The only restrictions for course of study while enrolled with TJAE are student enrollment /participation with Florida Virtual School (FLVS). While TJAE has and will continue to have transfer students that have taken courses from FLVS, TJAE does not allow current students to enroll in FLVS courses. Credits transferring from FLVS are based upon approval of TJAE academic advising. This decision is based upon the core philosophy and mission of TJAE and reflected via the parent-directed implementation of instruction to the students of TJAE. Parents seeking and/or choosing supplemental online education for their TJAE student must notify administrative staff of said choice in order for academic advising to determine if online supplementation meets the Classical/Thomas Jefferson methodology and to ensure the online course meets the benchmarks of TJAE’s core curriculum.
McKay Scholarships: TJAE does not participate in the FL McKay Scholarship Program.
Dual Enrollment: Registered high school students of TJAE have the choice of participating in dual enrollment courses via community colleges/state universities. TJAE Administrative Staff has and continues to develop articulation agreements with post-secondary institutions throughout the state of Florida. In addition, various universities across the nation now provide online college level courses to high school students. Such courses are not recognized by FLDOE in regard to dual enrollments status (free tuition); however, TJAE students in high school grades are eligible to enroll in those dual enrollment courses at the expense of the TJAE family. Parents looking into that option should consult with TJAE academic advising prior to enrollment to ensure the course will be considered for TJAE transcript.
Accreditation: Florida Statute does not mandate private schools be accredited in order to be recognized by the Florida Department of Education. There have been some post-secondary institutions in the state of Florida that have required private schools prove accreditation prior to accepting transcripts of prospective students. TJAE parents encountering such dialog with post-secondary admission personnel should contact TJAE Academic Advising for assistance. An official TJAE high school transcript does not guarantee admission to post-secondary institutions.
Extra-curricular activities/clubs/societies: (TBA)
TJAE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:
Governor Charlie Crist signed Senate Bill 4 into law during the 2010 Florida Legislative Session (April, 2010). SB4 changed the FLDOE’s Sunshine Standards for high school graduates beginning with freshman class in the 2010-2011 school year. Registered Florida private schools are not required to abide by public school district graduation requirements. The Sunshine Standards are the minimum standards the FLDOE sets for Florida School Districts in regard to how many credits high school students will need to receive a FLDOE recognized high school diploma. Public and private schools are allowed to set higher graduation requirements than what the Sunshine Standards mandate. The new Sunshine Standards require 24 credits. The breakdown of the subjects over a four-year high school career include: 4 English, 4 math, 3 Science, 3 social studies; 1 arts/speech & debate, 1physical education and 8 electives. NOTE: Of the math and science requirements, the student must have completed Algebra II, geometry, biology, chemistry or physics.
TJAE graduation requirements are as follows: 4 English, 4 math, 3 sciences (two with lab), 4 social studies, 2 arts/ speech and debate, 2 physical education and 8 electives (with two electives being foreign language). The academic foundation of TJAE is based on a Classical and Thomas Jefferson approach. Since TJAE teachers are given the freedom of developing an academic plan for their student(s), the graduation requirements for TJAE can be met by a variety of courses to choose from in each field with the intent that the required math and science courses meet TJAE standards (math--Algebra I or higher by completion of freshman year). The Sunshine Standards do not have foreign language requirements. However, the majority of college/university admission requirements include the completion two sequential foreign language courses in secondary school.
NOTE: Additional information on Classical and Thomas Jefferson Education, course choices, testing, website recommendations, vo-tech information, Bright Futures Scholarship update, community service, etc. forthcoming.
