Understanding House Bill 5 Graduation Requirements:

Graford High School

May 2014

The Intent of HB5: Accountability, Assessments, and Graduation Plans

During the 83rd Texas Legislature, House Bill 5 was signed into law, which changes high school graduation requirements for students

who will be freshmen during the 2014- 15 school year and beyond. It establishes one graduation plan - Foundation High School Program (FHSP) - with opportunities to earn endorsements and performance

acknowledgements.

The Intent of HB5: Accountability, Assessments, and Graduation Plans

The goals: develop a more diverse workforce, send students to the postsecondary level more prepared,

and understand that each student’s path to the workforce is

unique.

High School Graduation Requirements To receive a high school diploma, a student entering Grade 9 in 2014-2015 school year and thereafter must accomplish the following:

complete the Foundation High School curriculum,

pass the EOC testing requirements (English I & II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History),

ANDdemonstrate proficiency in professional communication.

ENGLISH•English I•English II•English III•Advanced EnglishMATHEMATICS•Algebra I•Geometry•Advanced MathPHYSICAL EDUCATIONFINE ART

SCIENCE•Biology•IPC or Advanced Science•Advanced ScienceSOCIAL STUDIES•World History or Geography•US History•Government/EconomicsLANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH (2 Years)FIVE (5) ELECTIVES

FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS – 22 Credits

EN

DO

RS

EM

EN

TS

ARTS/ HUMANITI

ES

BUSINESS &

INDUSTRY

PUBLIC SERVICE

STEM**MULTI-

DISCIPLINARY

THE NEW PLAN FOR TEXAS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Foundation Graduation Plan + Endorsements

CREDITS

English I, English II, English III, Advanced EnglishBiology, Chemistry, Advanced Science

World Geography, World History, US History,Algebra I, Geometry, Advanced Math

Government/EconomicsForeign Language (2 Credits)

Physical Education, Fine Arts, and Electives

26

Distinguished AchievementTo be considered as

“Top 10% of the Class for automatic admission”

Have Algebra II success, Earn four credits in science, Complete curriculum requirements, AND Graduate with an endorsement.

What does all of

this mean for you?

You have a choice!

What do you want

to be when you

grow up??

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

Math : Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and College Prep. Math, Statistics, or Algebraic Reasoning. 

 Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Anatomy & Physiology, Environmental Systems, or Advanced Animal Sciences

Business & Industry

Agricultural Sciences: Principles of Agriculture, Livestock/Small Animal Mgmt, Wildlife, Ag. Mechanics, Range Ecology & Management, or Advanced Animal Sciences Hospitality and Tourism: Principals of Family Consumer Sciences, Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness, Hospitality Service and Culinary Arts, including a Practicum

Information Technologies: Principles of Information Technology, Digital Media, Computer Programming, and Web Technologies

 Advanced journalism: Yearbook (3 years), by acceptance only at the end of your freshman year.

Business & Industry (con’t.)

Public ServicesHuman Services: Principals of Family Consumer Sciences, Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness, Child Development, and Child Guidance

Health Services: Health Science, Medical Terminology, Life Nutrition & Wellness, Anatomy & Physiology, and Pathophysiology

Arts & HumanitiesSocial Studies: World Geography, World History, US History, Government, Economics, and Sociology or Psychology

Language other than English: Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, and Spanish IV Fine Arts: Art I, Art II, Art III, and Art IV

Multidisciplinary StudiesFoundation Subjects: Current 4x4 requirement, including English IV, Chemistry, and Physics

Dual Credit: Four dual credit courses selected from English, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, languages other than English, or fine arts, offered through Weatherford College

You have even more choices to consider!

Performance AcknowledgementsHaving an Outstanding Performance(s) in:Dual Credit (>12 hours with a 3.0 or higher or an Associate’s

degree.)Bilingualism and Bi-literacyAdvanced Placement ExamsPSAT (Commended scholar) , ACT (28, excl. writing), or SAT (1250

math and reading)Earning:Business or Industry Certificate or License

Mandatory College Prep Courses

Each school district, in partnership with at least one IHE (W’ford College), is to develop and provide courses in college prep for mathematics and

English language arts for 12th grade students who do not meet the college readiness standards. Courses are provided on HS campus (with our teachers).

School must give notice to eligible students and their parents/guardians.

Successful completion of these courses may be used for the advance ELA/Mathematics curriculum requirement.

Effective 2014 -2015

Opportunities under HB 5High school students have the opportunity to graduate on the Foundation Plan with or without Endorsements.

Students who graduate on the Foundation Plan (unlike the current Minimum Plan) are eligible to be accepted to a 4-year university in Texas.

Students Entering 9th GradeEach student shall specify in writing an intended endorsement.

Beginning 2014-2015 - current 8th graders

Students may enroll in courses under more than one endorsement before the junior year and to choose, at any time, to earn an

endorsement other than the one previously indicated.

A student may opt for the Foundation School Program without an endorsement after the sophomore year with guardian approval

AND with advisement of the counselor regarding advantages of graduating with one or more endorsements.

Remember, you have a choice…