Graduation requirements
Three graduation plans are available, but one, the minimum high school program (22 credits), is being de-emphasized due to concerns that it does not contain courses required for success in college. Thus, starting with the 9th grade class of 2004-05 and all 9th graders thereafter, students must enroll in the recommended high school program (26 credits) or distinguished achievement program (26 credits). However, a student can opt out of the recommended or distinguished achievement program, with parental and school approval. Detailed information on graduation requirements under the three plans is available on the TEA website.
Requirement for four credits of math and four credits of science
Students entering 9th grade in the 2007-08 school year and thereafter are required to take a fourth credit of math and a fourth credit of science under the recommended or distinguished achievement program.
Under the recommended high school program, the four math credits must include Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry. After successful completion of Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II, a student may select the fourth required credit from any of the following courses:
(i) Precalculus;
(ii) Independent Study in Mathematics;
(iii) Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics;
(iv) AP Calculus AB;
(v) AP Calculus BC;
(vi) AP Computer Science;
(vii) International Baccalaureate (IB) Mathematical Studies Subsidiary Level;
(viii) IB Mathematical Methods Subsidiary Level;
(ix) IB Mathematics Higher Level;
(x) IB Advanced Mathematics Subsidiary Level;
(xi) concurrent enrollment in college mathematics courses; or
(xii) Mathematical Models with Applications(NOTE: if selected, Mathematical Models with Applications must be taken prior to Algebra II).
The SBOE may designate additional courses that meet these requirements.
For science, one credit must be a biology credit (Biology, AP Biology or IB Biology). Students must choose two credits from the following areas, but not more than one credit may be chosen from each of the areas to satisfy this requirement: (i) Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); (ii) Chemistry, AP Chemistry or IB Chemistry; and (iii) Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics or IB Physics. IPC cannot be taken as the final or fourth year of science, but must be taken before the senior year of high school. The fourth year of science may be selected from the laboratory-based courses listed in rule, with the addition of Engineering and Earth and Space Science.
A student entering grade 9 beginning with the 2012-13 school year must take three science credits, at least one from each category, from the following areas: (i) Biology, AP Biology or IB Biology; (ii) Chemistry, AP Chemistry or IB Chemistry; and (iii) Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics or IB Physics. The fourth year of science may be selected from the laboratory-based courses listed in rule, with the addition of Engineering and Earth and Space Science. The SBOE may designate additional courses that meet these requirements.
Alternate courses for recommended high school program requirements
The commissioner of education must develop English language arts, math, science and social studies courses to be offered by fall 2009 to students who need additional assistance in preparing for college success. These courses can be used to meet the recommended high school program graduation requirements.
Personal finance as graduation requirement
Instruction in personal financial literacy must be included in one or more courses needed for graduation no later than the 2008-09 school year, and specifically requires that personal finance be taught in any economics course beginning with the 2006-07 school year.
Incentives for college
• Each district must implement a college credit program by fall 2008 that would allow students to earn the equivalent of 12 semester hours of college credit in high school.
• Junior colleges participating in a pilot program can waive tuition and fees and provide free textbooks for educationally disadvantaged high school students enrolled in concurrent credit courses.
• Every institution of higher education in Texas must grant at least 24 semester credit hours to students who graduate from high school with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.
• Participation in the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program requires completion of the recommended high school program.
• Early college education programs have been established to provide at-risk and other students accelerated high school graduation and college credit.
Personal graduation plan/TAKS failure
Principals must designate school personnel to implement a personal graduation plan for middle/high school students who have failed the TAKS or will not likely graduate on time. |
