Cultivating Achievement and Thinking Skills (CATS)

1. What is CATS?
   Cultivating Achievement and Thinking Skills (CATS) is an elective support course for students concurrently enrolled in rigorous courses. CAT’s primary target is the upper level-2 student who is now enrolled or will eventually enroll in an AP course. The District supports affording all upper level-2 students the opportunity to take an AP course.
   
   
2. What is the curriculum?
   The curriculum emphasizes study skills (e.g. Cornell note-taking), organizational skills, and career/college information and provides a place where students may be given the opportunity to “work on the work” as well as receive emotional support and mentoring.
   
   
3. Who is eligible?
   Students who have scored a level 2 and level 3 on the FCAT. Other criteria such as grades, motivation can be used as well. However this is not a remediation course.
   
   
4. What certification is necessary to teach the CATS course?
   There is no particular certification needed to teach CATS other than a current and valid Florida teacher’s license. Local CATS training is required.
   
   
5. What course code numbers can be used?
   Research course code numbers can be used for the CATS elective. Please note that high schools can use local honors research course code numbers.
   
   
6. How many years can a student take CATS?
   CATS is an elective for 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students, however some juniors may elect to continue enrolling in this support courses. The request should be granted.
   
   
7. Any special books/materials required for course?
   There is a curriculum for CATS that utilizes novels and other paper-back books. Class sets of these novels will be provided by the District to the extent that funding allows. Schools may need to purchase some of these books on their own.
   
   
8. What support can I expect from district?
   CATS coordinator meetings will be held every other month to assist with any general or specific problems that may arise. CATS training will be provided to CATS teachers.
   
   
9. What training is necessary for a teacher?
   Training for CATS teachers and coordinators is ½ day in length and will be offered to schools via the Department of Advanced Academics on a biannual basis.
   
   
10. Where can I get additional information?
    Interested schools should contact Mirynne O'Connor Igualada, Department or Advanced Academics at (754)-321-2119.

Below is a listing of schools currently offering the CATS program