New for Students Entering 9th

Grade in the Fall 2014

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

REQUIREMENTS

The new law replaces the current three high school graduation plans (Minimum, Recommended, and Distinguished Achievement) with one Foundation program, on top of which students can earn Endorsements and a Distinguished Level of Achievement.

FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL PLAN

The new law makes earning an endorsement on top of the Foundation plan the expected high school graduation plan for students.

Students entering 9th grade specify in writing which endorsement they intend to earn.

Students can choose to graduate under the Foundation program alone (with no endorsement) only upon written permission of their parents and only after the sophomore year.

FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL PLAN

Foundation

Endorsement

Distinguished Performance Acknowledgements

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PLANS

During the 9th grade school year, a school counselor or school administrator will review personal graduation plan options with students and the student’s parent or guardian.

Before the end of 9th grade, the student and the student’s parent or guardian will confirm and sign a personal graduation plan, which must identify a course of study, or Endorsement.

Students may change their personal graduation plans – this can be done with a meeting with a school counselor or school administrator.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PLAN

4 credits in English English I, II, III, IV (or one advanced course)

3 credits in Math Algebra I, Geometry, and an advanced math course

3 credits in Science Biology, IPC or an advanced course, and an additional

advanced science course

3 credits in Social Studies US History, Government, Economics, and World Geography or

World History

FOUNDATION REQUIRED COURSES

2 credits in a Languages Other Than English Any two levels in the same language

Students can substitute two credits of computer programming languages to meet this requirement.

1 credit in Fine Arts

1 credit in PE

5 credits in Electives

FOUNDATION REQUIRED COURSES

Students must pass all required end-of-course exams to earn their high school diploma.

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End-of-Course (EOC) exams include:

English I

Algebra I

Biology I

English II

US History

REQUIRED ASSESSMENTS

ENDORSEMENTS

The Foundation Plan offers students the choice of an endorsement, or targeted area of study, much like a student would pick a major in college.

These new options offer a student the ability to earn a total of 26 total credits (a combination of core requirements and endorsement electives) in a targeted area of study for high school graduation.

WHAT IS AN ENDORSEMENT?

STEM Business & Industry

Public Services

Arts & Humanities

Multi-disciplinary

ENDORSEMENT OPTIONS

A student may earn an endorsement by successfully completing:

Curriculum requirements for the endorsement

Four (4) credits in math

Four (4) credits in science

Two (2) additional elective credits

ENDORSEMENTS

STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Includes courses directly related to science, technology

(including computer science), engineering, and mathematics.

ENDORSEMENT OPTIONS

Business & Industry

Includes courses directly related to database management,

information technology, communications, accounting, finance,

marketing, graphic design, architecture, construction, welding,

logistics, automotive technology, agricultural science, and

heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning

ENDORSEMENT OPTIONS

Public Services

Includes courses directly related to health sciences and

occupations, education and training, law enforcement, and

culinary arts and hospitality

ENDORSEMENT OPTIONS

Arts & Humanities

Includes courses directly related to political science, world

languages, cultural studies, English literature, history, and fine

arts

ENDORSEMENT OPTIONS

Multidisciplinary Studies

Allows a student to select courses from the curriculum of each

endorsement areas and earn credits in a variety of advanced

courses from multiple content areas

ENDORSEMENT OPTIONS

For each Endorsement, there are several Pathway options for students

ENDORSEMENT OPTIONS

DISTINGUISHED LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT &

PERFORMANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A student may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing:

1. Four credits in math (must include Algebra 2)

2. Four credits in science

3. The remaining Foundation curriculum requirements

4. The curriculum requirements for at least one Endorsement

DISTINGUISHED LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT

To qualify for Top 10 Percent admission, a student must have successfully completed the Distinguished Level of Achievement under the Foundation program.

COLLEGE ADMISSION

A student may earn a performance acknowldegement:

For outstanding performance In a dual credit course

In bilingualism and biliteracy

On an AP test or IB exam

On the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the ACT

For earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

PERFORMANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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