GRADUATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
(GEP)

St. Petersburg High School has developed a program for students who need an alternative way to complete high school. Students will have the opportunity to earn extra credits for failed classes through a vehicle called grade modification. Grade modification allows the student to be enrolled in one course for credit and be assigned additional coursework in another course to make-up that credit. A “mod” will only be given to students that maintain a 2.0 grade average in the class, keep their absences to a minimum, and have good behavior in school. All students who complete the program and gain additional credits through “mods” must meet regular graduation requirements. See your Counselor if you are interested in applying to this program.

Entrance criteria
1. Lack credits to graduate on time and have a sincere desire to strive for graduation.

2. Unweighted grade point average below 2.0.

3. Prior attendance problems, with an agreement to have regular daily attendance and be on time to all classes. Upon returning from an absence, students are required to bring a doctor/parent note to the office.

4. No referrals for serious misconduct the semester prior to applying to program.

5. Attend tutoring to assist with passing the FCAT.

GEP COURSES

Work Experience 1 & 2
Grade Level: 10-12 Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite: Enrollment in GEP
1 Credit

Curriculum inlcudes employability skills and paid employment experiences which are tailored to the needs of GEP students who are behind in credits. Work experience students work off-campus 10 hours or more weekly and may choose to leave campus one or two periods daily to earn OJT credits or may choose to remain on campus all day to earn .5 or 1.0 OJT course mod grades each semester. A half a credit equals 144 hours of work and 288 hours of work earns 1.0 credits for the OJT component of the Work Experience class.

Peer Counseling
Grade Level: 9-12 Length: 1 Semester
Prerequisite: None - 1/2 Credit

This course provides students with an understanding of communication elements, self-awareness, tolerance for diversity, goal setting, conflict resolutioin strategies, and anger management skills. In Peer Counseling 1 students are trained in Peer Mediation. Advanced communication skills and mediation techmiques are the main focus in Peer Counseling 2. Students who choose to represent SPHS as Peer Mediators will be enrolled in Peer Counseling 3/4 classes and assist school staff with student mediations.