GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

State Board of

EducationHouse Bill 5

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• ALL current 8th grade students will graduate on the Foundation High School Plan with endorsement (major).

• Current 9th – 12th grade students may choose this option as well.

• The Distinguished level of achievement and performance acknowledgment(s) are available for students showing outstanding performance in one or more areas.

CURRENT ECISD MINIMUM PLAN

English – 4 creditsEnglish I --OR-- English I SOLEnglish II English II SOL

English III English IIIAdditional English Additional English

Mathematics – 3 creditsAlgebra I Geometry Additional Math

Science – 2 creditsBiology IPC

If IPC is not taken, then student must complete Chemistry and Physics/Principles of Technology

Social Studies – 4 creditsWorld Geography World History

United States History Government Economics

Communication Applications or Professional Communications – 0.5 credit

Physical Education – 1 creditFoundations of Personal Fitness Athletics

Aerobic Activities Cheerleading JROTCMarching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual

SportsAdventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off-Campus

PE

Fine Arts – 1 creditOrchestra Choir Band Theater Dance Art

Floral Design Animation Fashion Design

Electives – 6.5 credits22 CREDITS TOTAL

NEWFOUNDATION PROGRAM

English – 4 creditsEnglish I --OR-- English I SOLEnglish II English II SOL

English III English IIIAdditional English Additional English

Mathematics – 3 creditsAlgebra I Geometry Additional Math

Science – 3 creditsBiology Additional Science Additional Science

Social Studies – 3 creditsWorld Geography -OR- World History -OR-

Combined CourseUnited States History Government Economics

Communication Applications or Professional Communications

– 0.5 credit

Physical Education – 1 creditFoundations of Personal Fitness Athletics

Aerobic Activities Cheerleading JROTCMarching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual SportsAdventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off-Campus

PE

Fine Arts – 1 creditOrchestra Choir Band Theater Dance Art

Floral Design Animation Fashion Design

Foreign Language – 2 credits of the same language(ARD/504/principal waiver review)

Spanish French Latin GermanAmerican Sign Language (Dual) Chinese (GT only)

Computer Programming Language

Electives – 4.5 credits22 CREDITS TOTAL

In most cases, student denied

access to publicly funded universities and

colleges.

Student denied access to Texas Grant monies for failure to graduate on

the recommended

or distinguished

plan.

Parent permission and

school administration

approval required.

Student NOT denied access

to publicly funded

universities and colleges.

Student NOT denied access to Texas Grant

monies for failure to

graduate on the recommended

or distinguished plan.

Parent permission and

school administration

approval required.

GRADUATION CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS GRADUATING 2015-16-17 SCHOOL YEARRECOMMENDED PROGRAM

 English – 4 credits

English I OR English I SOLEnglish II English II SOLEnglish III English IIIEnglish IV English IV 

Mathematics – 4 creditsAlgebra 1 OR Algebra IGeometry GeometryMath Models Algebra IIAlgebra 2 AND one of the following:

Pre-calculus Independent Study of Math Independent Study of Math – Algebra III

Math for Innovators AP Computer Science AP Statistics Statistics and Risk Management

Science – 4 creditsBiology OR BiologyIntegrated Physics/Chemistry ChemistryChemistry Physics or Principles of TechPhysics or Principles of Technology AND one of the following:

Aquatic Science Forensic Science Astronomy Anatomy and Physiology Earth and Space Science AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics

AP Environmental Science Medical Microbiology Pathophysiology

 Social Studies – 4 credits

World Geography World HistoryUS History US Government (0.5) Economics (0.5)

 Speech - .5 credit

 Physical Education – 1 credit

Foundations of Personal Fitness Athletics Aerobic ActivitiesMarching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual Sports CheerleadingAdventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off Campus PE JROTC

 Fine Arts – 1 credit

Orchestra Choir Band Theater Dance \ Art Floral Design Animation Fashion Design 

Foreign Language – 2 credits of the same languageSpanish Latin French German American Sign Language (Dual) Chinese GT only 

Electives – 5.5 credits 

26 CREDITS TOTAL 

        

 

DISTINGUISHED PROGRAM 

English – 4 creditsEnglish I OR English I SOLEnglish II English II SOLEnglish III English IIIEnglish IV English IV 

Mathematics – 4 creditsAlgebra 1GeometryAlgebra 2

Science – 4 creditsBiologyChemistryPhysics or Principles of TechAND one of the following:Aquatic Science Forensic Science Anatomy and Physiology Earth and Space ScienceAP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics APEnvironmental ScienceMedical Microbiology Pathophysiology

 Social Studies – 4 credits

World Geography World HistoryUS History US Government (0.5) Economics (0.5)

 Speech - .5 credit

 Physical Education – 1 credit

Foundations of Personal Fitness Athletics Aerobic ActivitiesMarching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual Sports

CheerleadingAdventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off Campus PE JROTC

 Fine Arts – 1 credit

Orchestra Choir Band Theater Dance Art Floral Design Animation Fashion Design 

Foreign Language – 3 credits of the same languageSpanish Latin French German American Sign Language (Dual) Chinese GT only 

Electives – 4.5 credits 

26 CREDITS TOTAL

Electives – 4.5 credits**Advanced Measures – 4**

Exam scores of 3 or above on AP and 4 or above on IB/ Dual credit grade of B or better and/or PSAT National Qualifying score 

26 CREDITS TOTAL `

        

 

FOUNDATION PROGRAM WITH ENDORSEMENT 

English – 4 creditsEnglish I OR English I SOLEnglish II English II SOLEnglish II English III Advanced English Advanced English 

Mathematics – 4 creditsAlgebra 1GeometryAdditional MathAdditional Math

 Science – 4 creditsBiologyIPC or Advanced ScienceAdditional ScienceAdditional Science (**Arts and Humanities)

Social Studies – 3 creditsWorld Geography Or World History Or Combined CourseUS History US Government (0.5) Economics (0.5)

 Speech - .5 credit

 Physical Education – 1 credit

Foundations of Personal Fitness Athletics Aerobic Activities Marching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual Sports CheerleadingAdventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off Campus PE JROTC

 Fine Arts – 1 credit

Orchestra Choir Band Theater Dance

Art Floral Design Animation Fashion Design 

Foreign Language or Substitute – 2 credits of the same languageSpanish Latin French German American Sign Language (Dual) Chinese GT only

Computer Programming Language 

Electives – 6.5 credits

 FOUNDATION PLAN - *DISTINGUISHED

*Required for Eligibility for Automatic Admission for College/University-Top 10%

**Substitution Allowed 

ADDITIONAL CHOICES:MULTIPLE ENDORSEMENT(S)PERFORMANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT(S)

26 CREDITS TOTAL 

        

 

Distinguished AchievementIndicated on Academic Achievement Record (transcript)

• Required for students to be considered for top10% automatic admission into public 4-year colleges and universities in the State of Texas• Requires 4 Math credits to include Algebra II • Requires 4 science credits • Requires completion of at least one endorsement

Currently transcripts are coded with Minimum Program, Recommended Program, and Distinguished Achievement Program.

Performance AcknowledgmentIndicated on Academic Achievement Record (transcript)

• Earned by a student for outstanding performance in multiple areas• Designated on student’s diploma

Currently this detailed information is not included on your student’s transcript or diploma.

Performance Acknowledgement

DUAL CREDIT DESIGNATION

1) Complete at least12 hours of college academic courses with a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale including:• College academic courses• Advanced technical credit• Articulated courses; or

2) Complete of an associate degree while in high school

Performance Acknowledgement BILINGUALISM & BI-LITERACY

Complete all English language arts requirements and maintain a minimum grade average of an 80 on a scale of 100 in the ELA

courses ; and

• Complete at least 3 credits in the same language other than English with a minimum grade average of an 80 on a scale of 100; or

• Complete a level IV or higher level language other than English with an 80 on a scale of 100; or

• Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English by earning

1. a score of 3 or more on a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam in a language other than English; or

2. a score of 4 or higher on an International Baccalaureate exam in a higher level languages other than English course; or

3. performance on a national assessment of language proficiency in a

language other than English of at least Intermediate High or its

equivalent

Performance AcknowledgementBILINGUALISM & BI-LITERACY FOR ENGLISH

LANGUAGE LEARNERS

In addition to the general requirements for BILINGUALISM & BI-LITERACY, an English Language Learner must also:

• Participate in an English as a second language (ESL)program

• Meet Exit Level criteria of the ESL program

• Score at the Advanced High Level on Texas English language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS)

Performance AcknowledgementADVANCED PLACEMENT OR

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

• Earn a score of 3 or above on an Advanced Placement Exam• Earn a score of 4 or above on an International

Baccalaureate Exam

Performance AcknowledgementPSAT/ACT-PLAN/SAT/ACT

• Earn a score on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) that qualifies for recognition as a Commended Scholar or higher, or as part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) Scholar, or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program, or

• Achieve a college readiness benchmark score on 2 of the 4 subject areas on the ACT-PLAN exam, or

• Earn a combined critical reading and mathematics score of at least 1250 on the SAT, or

• Earn a composite score on the ACT exam of 28 (without writing)

Performance AcknowledgementBUSINESS & INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION OR

LICENSURE

• Perform on an exam or series of exams sufficient to obtain a national or international business or industry certification.• Perform on an exam or series of exams sufficient to obtain a

government required credential to practice a profession.

ENDORSEMENTS•ALL students MUST specify in writing an ENDORSEMENT upon entering the 9th grade.

•A student’s endorsement is like a high school “major” – it determines what sequence of classes to be taken and what kind of career to be pursued after high school.

•A student may change an endorsement in the future if needed and may also have more than one endorsement.

ENDORSEMENTSEndorsement Areas:• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)• Business & Industry• Public Services• Arts & Humanities•Multidisciplinary Studies

•Total Credits w/Endorsement = 26

ENDORSEMENTSSTEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)

Includes courses directly related to:• STEM CTE career cluster• Science•Math

ENDORSEMENTSBusiness & Industry

Includes courses directly related to:• Agricultural science• Architecture & construction• Arts, A/V technology & communications• Business management & administration• Finance• Hospitality & tourism• Information technology• Manufacturing• Marketing• Transportation, distribution & logistics• Communication• Technology Applications

ENDORSEMENTS

Public ServicesIncludes courses directly related to:

• Education & training• Health science• Human services• Law, public safety, corrections, & security• JROTC

ENDORSEMENTSArts & Humanities

Includes courses directly related to:• Social studies• Languages other than English• Fine arts

ENDORSEMENTSMultidisciplinary Studies• Requires 4 advanced courses within one or more endorsement areas

that are not in a coherent sequence; or• Requires 4 credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to

include English IV, Chemistry, and/or Physics; or• Requires 4 credits in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate,

or dual credits selected from :• English • Economics• Math • Languages other than English• Science • Fine arts• Social Studies

EOC: End of Course Exams with Level II Satisfactory Performance

English IEnglish IIAlgebra IBiology

U.S. History

For more information, please see the

Course Description Guidewww.ectorcountyisd.org