COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION The Foundation High School Program + Endorsement

(FHSPE)

Katy ISD Freshman Class of 2018 - 2019

Information for Students and Parents

THE FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM:BASIC INFORMATION

• All FHSPE students must choose an endorsement in one of 5 areas at the time they enter 9th grade.

• Katy ISD students will select the endorsement along with their course selections.

• The endorsement should be selected based on the student’s individual interests and goals.

2018-2019 Course Catalog, page 11

THE FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM:BASIC INFORMATION

• Students will have the opportunity to change the endorsement if they so choose.

• The endorsement, and any changes, must be indicated in writing and signed by the parent.

2018-2019 Course Catalog, page 11

GRADUATION CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

22 Foundation Credits + 4 Endorsement Credits = 26 Total Credits

2018-2019 Course Catalog, page 10

THE FHSP + ENDORSEMENTCOURSE/CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

English – 4 credits• English I, II, III, and an additional/advanced English

Math – 3 credits• Algebra I, Geometry, and an additional/advanced

math

Science – 3 credits• Biology, and one course from IPC, or Chemistry,

or Physics, and one additional/advanced science

Social Studies – 3 credits• US History, .5 credit government, .5 credit

economics, and either World History or World Geography

LOTE – 2 credits

• Credits must be in the same language

Fine Arts – 1 credit

Physical Education – 1 credit

Health – .5 credit (KISD requirement)

Electives – 4.5 credits, including• A communication skills component

+ Endorsement (4 additional credits)Students are expected to earn an endorsement in one of 5 areas. Each endorsement requires:

• a 4th math credit

• a 4th science credit

• 2 additional electives

2018-2019 Course Catalog, page 9

COURSE NOTES

• PE substitutions – All students must earn one PE credit. The following are

approved PE substitutions:

– Athletics

– Fall semesters of Marching Band I and Marching Band II

– Fall semesters of Color Guard I and Color Guard II

– Dance I

– Dance Team Training I

– Dance Team I,

– Cheer – 1st year (if PE credit has not already been earned), or

– NJROTC – 1st year.

COURSE NOTES

• Health – Health is a Katy ISD-required course for all students.

• Communication Skills – Students on the FHSPE must have a communication skills component. The communication skills component can be satisfied through any of the following courses:

– Professional Communications,

– Communication Applications,

– Debate,

– Oral Interpretation,

– Professional Standards in Agribusiness,

– Teen Leadership,

– Theatre, or

– Dual Credit Speech

Look for to identify courses marked that satisfy the communication skills component

THE 26-CREDIT FHSP + ENDORSEMENT

DISTINGUISHED LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT(DLA)

A Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) may be earned through successful

completion of:

• All requirements for the Foundation High School Program, plus

• The requirements of at least one endorsement, including

• Algebra II among the four required math credits, and

• A fourth science credit

A student must graduate with a Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) to be

considered for the Top 10% and eligibility for automatic admission to a Texas public

college or university.

2018-2019 Course Catalog, page 10, under “Recognitions”

THE ENDORSEMENTS

• STEM (Science – Technology – Engineering – Math)

• Business & Industry

• Public Services

• Arts & Humanities

• Multidisciplinary Studies

STEMSCIENCE • TECHNOLOGY • ENGINEERING • MATH

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

PUBLIC SERVICES

ARTS & HUMANITIES

MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

CHOOSING COURSES FOR NEXT YEAR

1. Choose or review your endorsement,

2. Choose courses from the required subject areas.

• English,

• Math,

• Science,

• Social Studies

3. Choose courses from other areas to completely

fill all seven class periods.

4. If one course marked (sem) is selected, a

second (sem) course is also required.

CHOOSING COURSES FOR NEXT YEAR

• Warning! You cannot repeat a course for which you have already earned credit. No credit is awarded for a duplicated course.

• Review your credits and course selections with your counselor.

CHOOSING COURSES FOR NEXT YEAR

• Students must be mindful of their graduation plan and endorsement requirements.

• Choose core (required) courses and enough courses from other areas to complete seven full class periods.

• If one course marked (sem) is selected, a second (sem) course is also required.

• Review the course catalog when making selections.

• List alternate choices in the spaces provided.

• Turn in course selection sheets according to campus instructions.

• The student will meet to review credits and finalize course requests with the school counselor.

CHOOSING COURSES FOR NEXT YEAR

• Review the course catalog when making course selections.

– Pay special attention to “Selecting Courses for the Next School Year” on page 35, including the “Schedule Changes” information

• List alternate choices in the spaces provided.

• Discuss your endorsement choice and course selections with your parents and your school counselor!

• Turn in the course selection sheet as instructed by your campus.

CHOOSING COURSES:P.E. & FINE ARTS

• For student athletes, only one athletics program should be chosen on the course selection sheet.

• Band requires special consideration:

• If the student is in band but not in athletics, select the band option that gives fall PE credit and spring Fine Arts credit;

• If the student is in both athletics and band, the band option for the full year Fine Arts credit .

• If the student is going to take a first year dance course for PE credit, choose the appropriate dance course number listed under the Athletics heading.

COURSE VERIFICATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR

• Students will receive a course verification sheet later in the spring semester.

• The course verification sheet lists course selections for 2018–2019 as well as the endorsement.

• Review all course requests and the endorsement for accuracy.

• Make any changes on the verification sheet.

• List alternate choices in the order of preference.

• Turn in the course verification sheet as instructed.

COURSE VERIFICATIONS AND SCHEDULE CHANGES

Course verification is the time to change requests if they are needed.

Schedule changes requested after this time will be honored for a limited number of reasons.

2018-2019 Course Catalog, page 35, under “Schedule Changes”

FINAL NOTES

http://www.katyisd.org/dept/campusadmin/Documents/Graduation%20Requirements/2018-2019%20Course%20Catalog_FINAL_8x10.pdf