HB5 Foundation High School Programs Foundation High School Program 22 Credits 4 English Credits: English I, II, III, one advanced English course 3 Math Credits: Algebra I, Geometry, one credit in any authorized math course 3 Science Credits: Biology, two credits in any authorized advanced science course Foundation High school Program + Endorsements 26 Credits 4 English Credits: English I, II, III, one advanced English course 4 Math Credits: Algebra I, Geometry, two credits in any authorized advanced math course 4 Science Credits: Biology, three credits in any authorized advanced science course Prescribed Plan for all rising 9 th Grade Students Distinguished Level of Achievement 26 Credits 4 English Credits: English I, II, III, one advanced English course 4 Math Credits: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, one credit in any authorized advanced math course 4 Science Credits: Biology, three credits in any authorized advanced science course 3 Social Studies Credits: World Geography or World History, US History, Government, Economics 2 Language other than English or Computer Programming Credits 3 Social Studies Credits: World Geography or World History, US History, Government, Economics 2 Language other than English or Computer Programming Credits 3 Social Studies Credits: World Geography or World History, US History, Government, Economics 2 Language other than English or Computer Programming Credits 1 Physical Education Credit 1 Physical Education Credit 1 Physical Education Credit 1 Fine Arts Credit 1 Fine Arts Credit 1 Fine Arts Credit 0.5 Health Education Credit 0.5 Health Education Credit 0.5 Health Education Credit 4.5 Elective Credits 6.5 Elective Credits 6.5 Elective Credits ENDORSEMENTS STEM Business/Industry Public Service Arts and Humanities Multidisciplinary Studies Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math Advanced Science Advanced Math Computer Science Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Architecture and Construction Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications Business Management and Administration Finance Hospitality and Tourism Information Technology Manufacturing Marketing Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Education and Training Government and Public Administration Health Science Human Services Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Social Studies/Humanities Fine Arts Languages Other than English English and Literature Four advanced courses from within one endorsement or among endorsements Four courses in the four foundation subjects including English IV, chemistry and/or physics Four Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual credit courses from English, mathematics, science, social studies languages other than English, fine arts and economics English and Communications Technology Applications *Course options under each endorsement may vary by high school. Updated: November 18, 2014
Arts and Humanities The Arts and Humanities endorsement is a curriculum pathww allows for a student to focus deeply on courses directly related to fine arts, English literature, foreign languages and social studies. Students interested in pursuing a career path in the entertainment industry or as an interpreter, or writer, for example, may want to consider the Arts and Humanities endorsement to guide course selection. A student may earn an Arts and Humanities endorsement by completing the requirements specified in the foundation plan, in addition to one of the following: five social studies credits or four levels of the same language in a language other than English or two levels of the same language in a language other than English and two levels of a different language in a language other than English or four levels of American Sign Language or four credits in fine arts from one or two categories or four approved English elective credits AISD is committed to helping students develop their interests and individual potential. http://community.coin3.com to begin the conversation about your possible endorsement option. Information for how to log in to the COIN interest inventory can be found on the Austin ISD graduation plans website. For more information, please contact your school counselor, call the Schools Office at (512) 414-4471, email graduationplans@austinisd.org or visit www.austinisd.org/graduation-plans.
Business and Industry The Business and Industry endorsement is a curriculum path that allows a student to focus deeply on courses directly related to the business field. Related business careers include: information technology specialist, communications, financial adviser, marketing specialist, architect, construction, and project management. Students interested in pursuing an intentional path in the business world may want to consider the Business and Industry endorsement to guide course selection. A student may earn a Business and Industry endorsement by completing the requirements specified in the foundation plan, in addition to one of the following: a sequence of courses for four or more credits in career and technical education (CTE) that consist of at least two courses in the same career cluster, including at least one advanced CTE course. The final course in the sequence must be selected from one of the following CTE career clusters: agriculture, food, and natural resources architecture and construction arts, audio/visual technology, and communication business management and administration finance hospitality and tourism information technology manufacturing marketing transportation, distribution and logistics or four English elective courses to include three level from one of the following areas: advanced broadcast journalism advanced journalism: newspaper public speaking debate advanced journalism: yearbook or four approved technology application credits. AISD is committed to helping students develop their interests and individual potential. http://community.coin3.com to begin the conversation about your possible endorsement option. Information for how to log in to the COIN interest inventory can be found on the Austin ISD graduation plans website. For more information, please contact your school counselor, call the Schools Office at (512) 414-4471, email graduationplans@ austinisd.org or visit www.austinisd.org/graduation-plans.
Multidisciplinary Studies The Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement allows for students to further study a foundation area or a wide range of curriculum sets. Because of the broad nature of a Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement, students can choose from a wide variety of careers. If students are unsure of their career interests and wish to cross-study multiple subjects, they may want to consider the Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement to guide course selection. A student may earn a Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement by completing the requirements specified in the foundation plan, in addition to one of the following: four advanced courses that prepare a student to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary education from within one endorsement area or among endorsement areas that are not in a sequence or four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English IV and chemistry and/or physics or four credits in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or dual credit courses selected from English, math, science, social studies, economics, languages other than English or fine arts. AISD is committed to helping students develop their interests and individual potential. http://community.coin3.com to begin the conversation about your possible endorsement option. Information for how to log in to the COIN interest inventory can be found on the Austin ISD graduation plans website. For more information, please contact your school counselor, call the Schools Office at (512) 414-4471, email graduationplans@austinisd.org or visit www.austinisd.org/graduation-plans.
Public Services The Public Services endorsement is a curriculum path that allows a student to focus deeply on courses directly related to public services fields, including education and government. There is a wide range of careers available in the public services sector, including serving as a police officer, firefighter, government official, human resources administrator or teacher. Students interested in pursuing an intentional path toward any of these careers should consider a Public Services endorsement to guide course selection. A student may earn a Public Services endorsement by completing the requirements specified in the foundation plan, in addition to one of the following: a sequence of courses for four or more credits in career and technical education (CTE) that consists of at least two courses in the same career cluster, including at least one advanced CTE course. The final course in the sequence must be selected from one of the following CTE career clusters: education and training government and public administration health science human services law, public safety, corrections and security. or four courses in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). AISD is committed to helping students develop their interests and individual potential. http://community.coin3.com to begin the conversation about your possible endorsement option. Information for how to log in to the COIN interest inventory can be found on the Austin ISD graduation plans website. For more information, please contact your school counselor, call the Schools Office at (512) 414-4471, email graduationplans@austinisd.org or visit www.austinisd.org/graduation-plans.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) endorsement is a curriculum path that allows a student to focus deeply on courses directly related to science, technology, engineering and advanced math. There is a wide range of careers available in the STEM field, including engineering, computer programming, software development, and research science. Students interested in pursuing an intentional path toward any of these careers should consider a STEM endorsement to guide course selection. A student may earn a STEM endorsement by completing the requirements specified in the foundation plan, including algebra II, chemistry and physics, in addition to one of the following: a sequence of courses for four or more credits in career and technical education (CTE) that consists of at least two courses in the same career cluster and at least one advanced CTE course. The final course in the sequence must be selected from a CTE career cluster related to STEM or three credits in mathematics by successfully completing algebra II and two additional approved mathematics courses, for which completion of algebra II is required or a sequence of four approved credits in computer science or four credits in science by successfully completing chemistry, physics and two additional approved science courses. AISD is committed to helping students develop their interests and individual potential. http://community.coin3.com to begin the conversation about your possible endorsement option. Information for how to log in to the COIN interest inventory can be found on the Austin ISD graduation plans website. For more information, please contact your school counselor, call the Schools Office at (512) 414-4471, email graduationplans@ austinisd.org or visit www.austinisd.org/graduation-plans.
Graduation Plans FAQs The 83rd Legislature passed House Bill 5, and it was signed into law by the governor June 10, 2013. Below are answers to commonly asked questions about the legislation and its effects on Austin ISD students. END-OF-COURSE EXAMS 1. Which end-of-course (EOC) tests are required for graduation by 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. Will EOC exam results be included in grades? No, HB 5 eliminated the requirement that EOC exam results be counted toward a student s final grade. NEW GRADUATION PLANS 4. 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 Recommended High School Program that required 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. On Dec. 16, 2013, Austin ISD s Board of Trustees voted to establish the Distinguished Level of Achievement as the district s prescribed graduation plan beginning with the Class of 2018. This means that students entering ninth grade in school year 2014 15 will be enrolled in courses that ultimately satisfy the Distinguished Level of Achievement, which is effectively the Foundation High School Program, plus an endorsement that includes Algebra II as one of the four math courses.
5. When are the new graduation plans effective? HB 5 makes the new graduation plans effective for students entering ninth grade in school year 2014 15. 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 2016 17 school year for those who students who entered high school before the 2014 15 school year. However, students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors during the 2014 15 school year will have the option of switching to the Foundation High School Program when it becomes available in the 2014 15 school year. As updates become available about the graduation programs, they will be posted on the Texas Education Agency s website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/graduation.aspx. Some students completing the fourth year of high school during the 2013 14 school year will have the option to graduate under the new Foundation High School Program established under HB 5 if certain conditions are met. If a students chooses this option, the student will not have the option to earn an endorsement or the Distinguished Level of Achievement. Please see your high school counselor for more information. 6. What are the new endorsements under HB 5? Arts and Humanities includes courses directly related to: social studies/humanities fine arts languages other than English English and literature Business and Industry includes courses directly related to: agriculture, food and natural resources architecture and construction arts, audio-visual, and communications business management and administration finance hospitality and tourism information technology manufacturing marketing transportation, distribution and logistics advanced broadcast journalism advanced journalism: newspaper newspaper public speaking debate 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. Public Services includes courses directly related to: education and training government and public administration health science human services law, public safety, corrections and security Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) STEM includes courses directly related to: science, including environmental science technology, including computer science engineering computer science advanced math advanced science 7. What courses are qualified for each endorsement area? To see a list of approved courses for each endorsement area, please visit www.austinisd.org/graduation-plans. 8. Will the school district offer all five 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. 9. When must a student choose an endorsement area? HB 5 states that a school district shall ensure that each student upon entering ninth grade indicates in writing
an endorsement that the student intends to earn. AISD students will first select an endorsement in spring of their eighth-grade year. 10. 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. Students who wish to change their initial endorsement option will meet with their counselor for more information. 11. May a student choose more than one endorsement? Yes. 12. 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 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. 13. Under what graduation plan must a student graduate to be considered for automatic admission to a Texas, public, four-year institution of higher education under HB 5? A student qualifies for automatic admission to a Texas, public, four-year institution if the student is in the top 10 percent of his or her class, met the requirement of the Foundation High School Program, earned an endorsement and successfully completed Algebra II among his or her four credits in mathematics. Students are exempt from this rule if they are ranked in the top 10 percent of their graduating class and either 1. meet the ACT s College Readiness Benchmarks on ACT tests or 2. earn an SAT score of at least 1500 out of 2400. 14. What are performance acknowledgments and how can a student earn them? Performance acknowledgments may be earned for outstanding performance: in a dual credit course; or in bilingualism and biliteracy; or on a College Board advanced placement (AP) test or International Baccalaureate (IB) examination; or on the PSAT, ACT-PLAN, SAT or ACT. A student may also earn a performance acknowledgment for earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license. HB 5 requires the State Board of Education to specify in a rule the requirements for earning a performance acknowledgment. These rules were finalized Jan. 31, 2014. COUNSELING 15. 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 ninth grade. HB 5 requires that information explaining the advantages of the Distinguished Level of Achievement and of each endorsement be published on the district s website and be made available to students in ninth grade and above. A counselor or school administrator is required to review personal graduation plan options with each student entering ninth grade together with that student s parent or guardian. Before the conclusion of the ninth-grade school year, the student and the student s parent or guardian must confirm and sign a personal graduation plan for the student.