Graduation Plans Students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014-2015 school year

Graduation Plans Students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014-2015 school year All students should plan to graduate on the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program. Students should take rigorous coursework in order to be prepared for their next endeavor. If a student entered 9 th grade prior to the 2014-2015 school year and wants to graduate on the Foundation High School Program, they should meet with their counselor for information. Students who entered 9 th grade prior to 2014-2015 are encouraged to continue their Personal Graduation Plan (4 year plan) for the completion of the Recommended High School or Distinguished Achievement Program for graduation. Distinguished Achievement Program Hays CISD requires students on the Distinguished Achievement Program to take the state requirements, including1 credit of technology and.5 credit of health for a total of 26 credits. Students entering high school in 2011-2012 and after will take 5 STAAR EOC assessments and must achieve advanced academic performance on designated assessments in order to graduate on the Distinguished Achievement Program. Recommended Program Hays CISD requires students on the Recommended Program to take the state requirements, including 1 credit of technology and.5 credit of health for a total of 26 credits. Students entering high school in 2011-2012 and after will take 5 STAAR EOC assessments and must achieve satisfactory academic performance on the assessments in order to graduate on the Recommended High School Program. Minimum Program Hays CISD requires 1 credit of technology, 1 credit of fine arts and.5 credit of health for a total of 22 credits. **Students must obtain permission to graduate on the MHSP. There are other requirements added by the state. Students must meet these requirements and have permission from their parents, administrator and counselor. Students entering high school in 2011-2012 and after must take a STAAR EOC assessment only for the courses in which they are enrolled and for which there is a STAAR EOC assessment available in order to graduate on the Minimum High School Program. **All students shall enroll in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements for the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement High School Program unless the student, the student s parent or other persons standing in parental relation to the student, and a school counselor and school administrator agree that the student should be permitted to take courses under the Minimum High School Program. The student must also be at least 16 years of age, passed successfully 2 credits for graduation in each subject of the foundation core curriculum or has failed to be promoted to the 10 th grade one or more times as determined by the school district. Before being permitted to take courses under the Minimum High School Program, students receive a copy of The Benefits of the Recommended High School Program and must sign a Minimum High School Program Opt-In Agreement with the school administrator and a parent/guardian. A copy is kept in the student s permanent record folder upon graduation. Hays CISD Page 1

**HB 3826, 80 th Texas Legislature, adds an addition to the Foundation High School Program, Recommended High School Program and Distinguished Achievement Program graduation requirement for the graduating class of 2009 and thereafter that student must meet one or more of the following thresholds in order to be considered for admission to any general academic teaching institution including those with open enrollment policies: completion of the Foundation High School Program, Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program; satisfy the College Readiness Benchmarks on the ACT (19 Reading, Math, and 23 Composite) earn a score of at least 1500 out of 2400 on the SAT assessment. HB 3826 does not apply to private, community or junior colleges **HB 3826, 80 th Legislature General Teaching Institutions Including Open Enrollment Institutions (does not apply to ACC) The Texas Education Code (TEC) 61.003 defines general academic teaching institution" as a four-year institution of higher education and includes the following schools and universities: The University of Texas at Austin; The University of Texas at El Paso; The University of Texas of the Permian Basin; The University of Texas at Dallas; The University of Texas at San Antonio; Texas A&M University; The University of Texas at Arlington; Tarleton State University; Prairie View A&M University; Texas Maritime Academy; Texas Tech University; University of North Texas; Lamar University; Lamar State College--Orange; Lamar State College--Port Arthur; Texas A&M University--Kingsville; Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi; Texas Woman's University; Texas Southern University; Midwestern State University; University of Houston; University of Texas--Pan American; The University of Texas at Brownsville; Texas A&M University--Commerce; Sam Houston State University; Texas State University--San Marcos; West Texas A&M University; Stephen F. Austin State University; Sul Ross State University; Angelo State University; The University of Texas at Tyler; and any other college, university, or institution so classified as provided in this chapter or created and so classified, expressly or impliedly, by law. This list may not be comprehensive and is subject to change based on each institution s admissions policy. Benefits of the Recommended High School Program for Graduation The 81st Texas Legislature, 2009, passed House Bill (HB) 3, amending the Texas Education Code (TEC), 28.025, to require school districts to provide written notice to parents/guardians explaining the benefits of the Recommended High School Program (RHSP) for graduation before a student is permitted to take courses under the Minimum High School Program (MHSP). The Foundation High School Program replaces the Recommended High School and Distinguished Achievement High School Program for graduation for students who enter 9 th grade in 2014-2015 and thereafter. The purpose of this correspondence is to ensure that parents/guardians are informed as to the programs and opportunities afforded to students graduating under the RHSP. Benefits of graduating under the Recommended High School Program include: College readiness - Many colleges and universities minimally require the RHSP for admission. In addition, students ranked in the top 10 percent of their graduating classes from an accredited Texas public high school are eligible for automatic admission to most Texas public universities if they have completed the RHSP or the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP). The University of Texas at Austin is an exception to the top 10% rule as it will automatically admit all eligible 2015 summer/fall freshman applicants who rank within the top 7% of their high school graduating classes, with remaining spaces to be filled through holistic review. Recognition - The Recommended High School Program seal will be affixed to the Academic Achievement Record (AAR), or transcript, of students graduating under the RHSP. Hays CISD Page 2

Test results - Research suggests that students who take additional English, math, social studies, and science courses make higher scores on the SAT or ACT college entrance exams. The RHSP and the DAP requires four credits in each of these core subject areas. State & Local Limits Apply: Students must be aware of graduation requirements For students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014- The courses that receive local credits do not count 2015 school year. There are several special toward graduation requirements. restrictions of which students should be aware. Some of these are state requirements, and some are It is the student s responsibility to know what local policy. The state requires only one credit of credits are needed for graduation. They are PE to graduate. Students can count up to no more encouraged to seek assistance from their high than 4 credits of PE or athletics toward graduation. school counselor if they have any questions about Therefore, a student who participates in athletics all any of the graduation plans. 4 years can count all 4 credits toward the state graduation requirement. TAKS Required for Graduation Students who entered Grade 9 before 2011-2012 school year In addition to earning required credits for graduation, students must also pass the appropriate exit-level state mandated assessment. Students are required to pass the TAKS test to graduate. The TAKS has four sections: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students who fail to demonstrate mastery on the exit-level test will have opportunities at specified times, as required by the state, to retest in the section(s) failed. Students may be required to take additional courses to assist them in acquiring skills to pass the TAKS. These students may also attend tuition-free remediation classes in summer school. Special tutorial groups are set up from time to time, and an intensive study time may be provided the few days immediately before the retesting dates. A Personal Graduation Plan will be developed for students who have failed any section of the TAKS. The plan will include interventions to assist the student in passing the TAKS. Students who entered 9 th grade before 2011-2012 must pass all sections of the TAKS test in order to participate in graduation ceremonies. Students who need to pass any sections of the TAKS should check with their counselor or teachers to find out the testing dates for 2014-2015. For students entering 9 th grade in 2011-2012 and after, TAKS tests will no longer be given. Students will be required to pass the STAAR End-of-Course examinations to graduate. State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End-of-Course Exams Required for Graduation Students entering Grade 9 in 2011-2012 and after Beginning the 2011-2012 school year, the state replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). STAAR will require students to successfully complete 5 newly created End-of-Course (EOC) assessments. The EOC assessments are required for the following subjects: Algebra I, English I Reading & Writing, English II Reading & Writing, Biology, and U.S. History. Hays CISD Page 3

Graduation Requirements For Students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014-2015 school year The Distinguished and Recommended Programs require 26 credits to graduate** Students must sign an agreement to graduate under the Minimum Program. Students should visit with their counselors. Course Distinguished Achievement Program Recommended Program English English I, II, III, IV English I and II for speakers of Other Languages may be substituted for English I and II only for students with limited English proficiency who are at the beginning or intermediate levels of English language proficiency English I, II, III, IV English I and II for speakers of Other Languages may be substituted for English I and II only for students with limited English proficiency who are at the beginning or intermediate levels of English language proficiency Mathematics Social Studies Languages Other Than English Algebra I Algebra II Geometry The fourth credit may be selected from any of the following after successful completion of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry: Pre-Calculus Statistics and Risk Management Advanced Quantitative Reasoning Algebra 3: Ind. Study in Math Calculus: Ind. Study in Math Statistics: Ind. Study in Math AP Statistics AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Computer Science *Mathematical Models with Applications does not count on the DAP program. World Geography Studies (1 credit) World History Studies (1 credit) U.S. History Studies Since 1877 (1 credit) U.S. Government (.5 credit) Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits (.5 credit) Three Credits: must consist of any THREE levels of the same language Algebra I Algebra II Geometry The additional credit may be Mathematical Models with Applications and must be successfully completed prior to Algebra II The fourth credit may be selected from any of the following: Pre-Calculus Statistics and Risk Management Advanced Quantitative Reasoning Algebra 3: Ind. Study in Math Calculus: Ind. Study in Math Statistics: Ind. Study in Math AP Statistics AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Computer Science **For students who select Math Models, Algebra II is the fourth or final course. They may not take Math Models after taking Algebra II. World Geography Studies (1 credit) World History Studies (1 credit) U.S. History Studies Since 1877(1 credit) U.S. Government (.5 credit) Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits (.5 credit) Two Credits: must consist of any TWO levels of the same language Hays CISD Page 4

Graduation Requirements For Students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014-2015 school year Course Distinguished Achievement Program Recommended Program Science Health Education Four credits: One credit from Biology or AP Biology One credit from Chemistry or AP Chemistry Once credit from Physics or AP Physics B or C (Principles of Technology does not count on the DAP program) The fourth credit may be selected from any of the following laboratory-based courses: Aquatic Science Astronomy Earth and Space Science Environmental Systems AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics B or C AP Environmental Systems The additional credit may be selected from the following laboratory-based courses and may be taken after successful completion of biology and chemistry and either after successful completion of or concurrently with physics: Scientific Research & Design(CTE) Anatomy and Physiology(CTE) Advanced Animal Science(CTE) Advanced Plant & Soil Science(CTE) Forensic Science(CTE) One-half Credit: Health Education (.5 credit) Health Science (1 credit) must stay in course entire year to satisfy this requirement Four credits: One credit from Biology or AP Biology One credit from Chemistry or AP Chemistry One credit from Physics, Principles of Technology or AP Physics The additional credit may be IPC and must be successfully completed prior to chemistry and physics The fourth credit may be selected from any of the following laboratory-based courses: Aquatic Science Astronomy Earth and Space Science Environmental Systems AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics B or C AP Environmental Systems The additional credit may be selected from the following laboratory-based courses and may be taken after successful completion of biology and chemistry and either after successful completion of or concurrently with physics: Scientific Research & Design(CTE) Anatomy and Physiology(CTE) Advanced Animal Science(CTE) Advanced Plant & Soil Science(CTE) Forensic Science(CTE) One-half Credit: Health Education (.5 credit) Health Science (1 credit) must stay in course entire year to satisfy this requirement Speech One-half Credit from either of the following: Communication Applications Professional Communications (CTE) One-half Credit from either of the following: Communication Applications Professional Communications (CTE) *Fine Arts One Credit from any of the following: Art, Level I, II, III, or IV Dance, Level I, II, III, or IV Music, Level I, II, III, or IV Theatre, Level I, II, III, or IV Principles and Elements of Floral Design (CTE) Digital Art and Animation (Technology Applications) One Credit from any of the following: Art, Level I, II, III, or IV Dance, Level I, II, III, or IV Music, Level I, II, III, or IV Theatre, Level I, II, III, or IV Principles and Elements of Floral Design (CTE) Digital Art and Animation (Technology Applications) Hays CISD Page 5

Graduation Requirements For Students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014-2015 school year Course Distinguished Achievement Program Recommended Program Physical Education One Credit: The required credit may be any combination of the following one-half credit courses: Foundations of Personal Fitness Aerobic Activities Team Sports Individual Sports One substitution credit may be earned through participation in the following activities: Athletics JROTC Appropriate private sponsored physical activity programs conducted on or off campus (principal approval) One substitution credit may be earned through participation in any of the following activities: Drill Team Marching Band Cheerleading All allowed substitution activities must include at least 100 minutes per five-day school week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Credit may not be earned for any TEKSbased course more than once. No more than four substitution credits may be earned through any combination of substitutions. A student who is unable to participate in physical activity due to a disability or illness may substitute an academic elective credit (English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies) with principal approval. One Credit: The required credit may be any combination of the following one-half credit courses: Foundations of Personal Fitness Aerobic Activities Team Sports Individual Sports In accordance with local district policy, credit for any of the courses listed above may be earned through participation in the following activities: Athletics JROTC Appropriate private sponsored physical activity programs conducted on or off campus (principal approval) In accordance with local district policy, up to one credit for any of the courses listed above may be earned through participation in any of the following activities: Drill Team Marching Band Cheerleading All allowed substitution activities must include at least 100 minutes per five-day school week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Credit may not be earned for any TEKS-based course more than once. No more than four substitution credits may be earned through any combination of substitutions. A student who is unable to participate in physical activity due to a disability or illness may substitute an academic elective credit (English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies) with principal approval. Technology Applications One Credit: may be satisfied by Advanced Computer Programming Advanced Graphic Design & Illustration Architectural Design Animation Computer Programming Business Informational Management I Business Information Management II Civil Engineering and Architecture - PLTW Computer Integrated Manufacturing- PLTW Computer Science AP Desktop Publishing Digital Communication in the 21 st Century Digital Electronics- PLTW Digital and Interactive Media Engineering, Design and Development- PLTW Fundamentals of Computer Science (.5 credit) & Computer Science I (.5 credit) Graphic Design and Illustration I Introduction to Engineering Design - PLTW Principles of Engineering - PLTW Principles of Manufacturing Robotics and Automation Video Game Design I, II Web Technology Digital Design and Media Production Hays CISD Page 6

Graduation Requirements For Students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014-2015 school year Course Distinguished Achievement Program Recommended Program Electives Three Credits from any of the following: The list of courses approved by the SBOE for grades 9-12 (relating to Essential Knowledge and Skills) State-approved innovative courses JROTC (one to four credits) A student may not combine a half credit of a course for which there is an end-of-course assessment with another elective credit course to satisfy an elective credit requirement. Four Credits from any of the following: The list of courses approved by the SBOE for grades 9-12 (relating to Essential Knowledge and Skills) State-approved innovative courses JROTC (one to four credits) A student may not combine a half credit of a course for which there is an end-of-course assessment with another elective credit course to satisfy an elective credit requirement. Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) Mastery *Students who entered 9 th Grade before 2011-2012 school year TAKS Exit-Level Assessments English Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies TAKS Exit-Level Assessments English Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Mastery *Students entering 9 th Grade in 2011-2012 and after Additional End-of-Course Exams English I Reading & Writing English II Reading & Writing Algebra 1 Biology US History Since 1877 Students must achieve advanced academic performance on designated assessments in order to graduate on the Distinguished Achievement Program. Distinguished Achievement Program requirements also include student achievement of four advanced measures. See explanation of DAP program for additional requirements/details End-of-Course Exams English I Reading & Writing English II Reading & Writing Algebra 1 Biology US History Since 1877 Students must achieve satisfactory academic performance on the assessments in order to graduate on the Recommended High School Program. Hays CISD Page 7

Notes: 1. College Board Advanced Placement and Pre-AP courses may be substituted for requirements in appropriate areas. 2. There are no substitutes for the credits required for graduation under any state graduation program. A student cannot repeat a completed course for credit. If a student completes a course for which she/he has already gained credit, the repeat course will not count towards graduation. 3. Students in high school in 2012-13 and after, who cannot physically participate in PE for credit due to a disability or other documented reason can substitute 1.0 academic elective, with permission from the campus or district committee or the high school academic dean. Documentation must be kept and placed in the student s permanent records folder upon graduation. A student cannot combine a half credit of a course for which there is an EOC assessment with another elective credit to satisfy an elective credit requirement. 4. Minimum High School Program State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Mastery Requirements (Students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014-2015 school year). Students under the Minimum Graduation Program must take a STAAR EOC assessment only for the courses in which they are enrolled and for which there is a STAAR EOC assessment available. However, if students take courses that are not part of the minimum program requirements, they must take the assessment. 5. Recommended High School Program (RHSP) State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Mastery Requirements (Students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014-2015 school year). Students under the RHSP must take all 5 STAAR EOC assessments in each of the four foundation content areas. In addition, these students must achieve satisfactory performance on the STAAR EOC assessments in order to receive a diploma under the RHSP. 6. Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Mastery Requirements (Students who entered 9 th grade before the 2014-2015 school year). Students under the DAP must take all 5 STAAR EOC assessments in each of the four foundation content areas. In addition, these students must achieve advanced academic performance on designated assessments in order to receive a diploma under the Distinguished Achievement Program. 7. All students shall enroll in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements for the Recommended High School or Distinguished Achievement Program unless the student, the student s parent or other persons standing in parental relation to the student, and a school counselor or school administrator agree that the student should be permitted to take courses under the Minimum High School Program. Parents and students receive a copy of the Benefits of the Recommended High School Program and a signed copy of the Minimum High School Program Opt-In Agreement. The Minimum High School Program Opt-In Agreement will be filed in the student s permanent record folder. Graduation requirements cannot be waived under any conditions. Courses can be individualized and modified for students based on ARD committee decisions. Students graduating under the Minimum Graduation Program should have 22 state credits. 8. Students graduating on Minimum Graduation Program: a. must be at least 16 years of age, passed successfully 2 credits for graduation in each subject of the foundation core curriculum or failed to be promoted to the 10 th grade one or more times as determined by the school district. b. must have one credit of Fine Arts. c. the ARD committee can serve as the team that assists in this decision. If this decision is made as a part of the ARD committee, the ARD must reflect permission as a part of the ARD notes. A copy of the Minimum High School Program Opt-In Agreement will be kept with the ARD notes and filed in the student s permanent record folder (cum folder) after graduation. d. Students and parents can receive a copy of the Benefits to Graduating on the RHSP and the Minimum High School Program Opt-in Agreement from the School Guidance Office. 9. *House Bill 3826 requires that students complete the Recommended High School or Distinguished Achievement Program, or its equivalent, to be considered for admission to any general academic teaching institution (four-year university or college), including those with open enrollment policies. Also, only those students graduating by completion of the Recommended High School or Distinguished Achievement Program requirements will be eligible for the TEXAS Grant that provides funding for well-prepared, eligible students to attend public and private nonprofit colleges and universities in Texas. Hays CISD Page 8