HB 5 Graduation Plans FAQs

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1 The 83 rd Legislature passed House Bill 5 (HB 5), and it was signed by the Governor on June 10. Below are answers to commonly asked questions about the new legislation. End-of-Course Exams 1. Which end-of-course (EOC) tests are required for graduation due to HB 5? English I*, English II*, Algebra I, U.S. History and Biology *reading and writing combined 2. Which previously required EOCs are no longer required for graduation under HB 5? Chemistry, Physics, Geometry, World History, World Geography, Algebra II, and English III 3. If a student has passed English I or English II reading, but not English I or English II writing (or vice versa), does the student have to retake the part that he or she has not passed? High school students who have already passed English I or English II reading but not English I or English II writing (or vice versa) will still need to successfully complete the second test to meet graduation requirements. The English I and English II tests will continue to have separate reading and writing tests for the test administration in July and December. Beginning in spring 2014, English I and English II assessments that combine reading and writing will be available. 4. Will EOC exam results be included in students grades? No, AISD s policy states EOCs will not be included as 15 percent of the course grade unless required by law, and HB 5 has eliminated that requirement. New Graduation Plans 5. What are the new graduation plans established under HB 5? HB 5 replaces the Minimum High School Program, Recommended High School Program, and the Distinguished Achievement Program with three new graduation options: The Foundation High School Program, The Foundation High School Program plus Endorsements, and The Foundation High School Program, plus Endorsement, plus Distinguished Level of Achievement The current Recommended High School Program that requires four courses in math, English, science and social studies ("4x4") for graduation is replaced by a 22-credit Foundation High School Program that allows students to earn endorsements in specific areas of study by completing four additional credits. 1

2 To earn a distinguished level of achievement, a student must complete the Foundation High School Program, plus an endorsement, and must complete Algebra II. 6. When are the new graduation plans effective? Because many details about the Foundation High School Program and the endorsements must still be worked out, the new graduation plans will not be in effect for the school year. School districts must continue to offer the three existing graduation programs - the Minimum High School Program, Recommended High School Program, and Distinguished Achievement Program - through at least the school year when those students who entered high school in Fall 2013 graduate. However, students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors during the school year and are currently following one of the three existing programs will have the option of switching to the Foundation program when it becomes available in the school year. As updates become available about the graduation programs, they will be posted on the Texas Education Agency's website at The Commissioner of Education announced on August 30, 2013, that he intends to propose rules that would allow some students completing the fourth year of high school during the school year to graduate under the new Foundation High School Program established under HB 5. The proposed rules will only apply to the small group of seniors who are able to complete the coursework required to graduate under the Foundation High School Program in and who choose this option. This includes students who complete the required coursework during the summer of 2014, but not thereafter. A student who chooses to graduate under the Foundation High School Program in will earn a foundation diploma only. The student will not have the option to earn an endorsement, the distinguished level of achievement, or a performance acknowledgment. 7. What are the new endorsement areas under HB 5? STEM includes courses directly related to: science, including environmental science technology, including computer science engineering advanced math Business and Industry, includes courses directly related to: database management information technology communications accounting finance graphic design 2

3 architecture construction welding logistics automotive technology agricultural science HVAC Public Services, includes courses directly related to: health sciences and occupations education and training law enforcement culinary arts and hospitality Arts and Humanities, includes courses directly related to: political science world languages cultural studies English literature history fine arts Multidisciplinary Studies allows a student to select courses from the curriculum of each endorsement area and earn credits in a variety of advanced courses from multiple content areas sufficient to complete the distinguished level of achievement. 8. What courses qualify for each endorsement area? The State Board of Education (SBOE) will decide which courses count as advanced mathematics, English and science courses and determining the requirements for each endorsement area. The SBOE will hold a public hearing September 17 in room of the Travis State Office Building in Austin to receive input from educators and others about the changing graduation requirements. After the public hearing, Texas Education Agency staff will craft a proposed rule dealing with graduation requirements. 9. When will we know what courses are approved for the Foundation Plan and Endorsements? The SBOE will consider TEA staff s draft rule at its November meeting in Austin. If the rule receives preliminary approval, it will be posted in the Texas Register and there will be a 30- day public comment period. Comments during this time may be submitted to rules@tea.state.tx.us. A final vote on the changes is expected during the SBOE's January meeting. All SBOE meetings are held at the Travis State Office Building, 1701 N. Congress Avenue. 3

4 10. Will the school district offer all 5 endorsements? HB 5 requires school districts to make available to high school students courses that allow a student to complete the requirements for at least one endorsement. HB 5 further provides that a school district that offers only one endorsement curriculum must offer the multidisciplinary studies endorsement curriculum. AISD currently offers a wide variety of courses that could fit under each of the five endorsement areas. However, a decision regarding which endorsements will be offered cannot be made until the State Board of Education (SBOE) makes its final decision regarding which courses qualify for each endorsement area. 11. Will all 5 endorsements be offered at each high school campus? A determination regarding which endorsements will be offered at which campuses will be dependent upon the final SBOE approved endorsement course list and the resources (equipment, qualified teachers, and instructional materials) available at each campus. 12. If a campus to which a student is zoned does not offer the endorsement the student is interested in pursuing, will the student be allowed to transfer to the school that offers the endorsement? If so, will transportation be provided? 13. When must a student choose an endorsement area? HB 5 states that a school district shall ensure that each student upon entering 9 th grade indicates in writing an endorsement that the student intends to earn. 14. May a student switch from one endorsement to another? Yes. HB 5 requires that a school district permit a student to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement other than the endorsement the student previously indicated. 15. May a student choose more than one endorsement? Yes. 16. Must a student choose an endorsement, or can the student graduate under the Foundation High School Program? A student may graduate under the foundation high school program without earning an endorsement if, after the student s sophomore year: (1) the student and the student s parent or person standing in parental relation to the student are advised by a school counselor of the specific benefits of graduating from high school with one or more endorsements; and 4

5 (2) the student s parent or person standing in parental relation to the student files with a school counselor written permission, on a TEA adopted form, allowing the student to graduate under the foundation high school program without earning an endorsement. 17. HB 5 allows students to satisfy the fine arts requirement by participating in a community-based program approved by the Commissioner of Education similar to the option that is currently available for PE. When will parents and students know which community-based fine arts programs have been approved for AISD students? Under the provisions of HB 5, a school district, with the approval of the commissioner may allow a student to satisfy the fine arts requirement in this manner. [Provide more info.] 18. Under what graduation plan must a student graduate in order to be considered for automatic college admission under the Top 10 Percent statute? A student must earn the distinguished level of achievement to qualify for automatic admission. 19. What are performance acknowledgments and how can a student earn them? Performance acknowledgements may be earned for outstanding performance: in a dual credit course in bilingualism and biliteracy on a college advanced placement test or international baccalaureate examination, or on the PSAT, ACT-Plan, SAT, or ACT. A student may also receive a performance acknowledgment for earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license. HB 5 requires the SBOE to specify in a rule the requirements for earning a performance acknowledgment. Counseling 20. When are students counseled on graduation options? Current law requires each school counselor at an elementary, middle, and high school to advise students and their parents or guardians regarding the importance of postsecondary education, coursework designed to prepare students for postsecondary education, and financial aid availability and requirements. Counselors are also required to develop and administer a personal graduation plan for students in middle school who do not perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument, or are not likely to receive a high school diploma before the fifth school year after enrollment in 9 th grade. 5

6 HB 5 requires that information explaining the advantages of the distinguished level of achievement and of each endorsement be published on the district s Internet website and be made available to students in grades 9 and above. A counselor or school administrator is required to review personal graduation plan options with each student entering 9 th grade together with that student s parent or guardian. Before the conclusion of the 9 th grade school year, the student and the student s parent or guardian must confirm and sign a personal graduation plan for the student. 6