ABout ism
What is ISM?
Independent Study and Mentorship (ISM) is a rigorous, challenging course
offered at Frisco ISD high schools. This program is designed for academically
gifted and high achieving students who are juniors or seniors. It receives
weighted credit (5.5 points).
Students who want to take ISM go through a selection and application process
and are chosen to participate in this exciting, rigorous elective. They select
careers or topics of study, and the ISM teacher helps students narrow down
and focus this topic of study. Students conduct informational interviews with
professionals in this chosen field and from this process, they carefully choose a
mentor with whom to work for the remainder of the year (usually second
semester).
The ISM teacher guides and helps the students with this important interview
and mentor selection process. The course includes intense research, original
idea generation, original product design, and written analysis of research.
Furthermore, the ISM teacher works with the students on professionalism,
time management, effective oral and written communication, interpersonal
skills, interviewing, resume writing, and goal setting to help prepare these
students for success in their mentorship experience and in life after high
school. The ISM teacher follows each student's progress closely, communicates
often with mentors, and makes sure each student stays task committed.