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• Superintendent Donna Gill
• Principal Kelly Carrell

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New Graduation Requirements 2010

♦ College Board advanced placement, college-level concurrent/dual enrollment, and International Baccalaureate courses may be substituted for requirements in appropriate areas.
* Distinguished Achievement Program requirements also include student achievement of four advanced measures.
2010-2011 Graduation Credit Requirements
Discipline
Minimum HSP
Recommended HSP
Distinguished Achievement Program*
English Language Arts ♦
Four credits:
• English I, II, and III
• English I and II for Speakers of Other Languages may be substituted for English I and II for students with limited English proficiency who are at the beginning or intermediate levels of English language proficiency.
• The fourth credit of English may be selected from any of the following:
 English IV
 Research/Technical Writing
 Creative/Imaginative Writing
 Practical Writing Skills
 Literary Genres
 Business English (CTE)
 Journalism
 AP English Language Composition
 AP English Literature and Composition
Four credits:
• English I, II, III, and 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.
Four credits:
• English I, II, III, and 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 ♦
Three credits:
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• The third credit may be selected from any of the following:
 Algebra II
 Precalculus
 Mathematical Models with Applications
 Independent Study in Mathematics
 AP Statistics
 AP Calculus AB
 AP Calculus BC
 AP Computer Science
 IB Mathematical Studies Standard Level
 IB Mathematics Standard Level
 IB Mathematics Higher Level
 IB Further Mathematics Standard Level
 Mathematical Applications in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CTE)
 Engineering Mathematics (CTE)
 Statistics and Risk Management (CTE)
Four credits:
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Algebra II
• The additional credit may be selected from either of the following and must be successfully completed prior to Algebra II:
 Mathematical Models with Applications
 Mathematical Applications in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CTE)
• The fourth credit may be selected from the following after successful completion of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II:
 Precalculus
 Independent Study in Mathematics
 AP Statistics
 AP Calculus AB
 AP Calculus BC
 AP Computer Science
 IB Mathematical Studies Standard Level
 IB Mathematics Standard Level
 IB Mathematics Higher Level
 IB Further Mathematics Standard Level
 Engineering Mathematics (CTE)
 Statistics and Risk Management (CTE)
Four credits:
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Algebra II
• The fourth credit may be selected from any of the following after successful completion of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry:
 Precalculus
 Independent Study in Mathematics
 AP Statistics
 AP Calculus AB
 AP Calculus BC
 AP Computer Science
 IB Mathematical Studies Standard Level
 IB Mathematics Standard Level
 IB Mathematics Higher Level
 IB Further Mathematics Standard Level
 Engineering Mathematics (CTE)
 Statistics and Risk Management (CTE)
♦ College Board advanced placement, college-level concurrent/dual enrollment, and International Baccalaureate courses may be substituted for requirements in appropriate areas.
* Distinguished Achievement Program requirements also include student achievement of four advanced measures.
Science ♦
Two credits:
• Biology
• Integrated Physics and Chemistry
May substitute Chemistry or Physics for IPC but must use the other as academic elective credit
Four credits:
• Biology, AP Biology, or IB Biology
• Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry
• Physics, Principles of Technology, AP Physics, or IB 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:
 Aquatic Science
 Astronomy
 Earth and Space Science
 Environmental Systems
 AP Biology
 AP Chemistry
 AP Physics B
 AP Physics C
 AP Environmental Science
 IB Biology
 IB Chemistry
 IB Physics
 IB Environmental Systems
 Scientific Research and Design (CTE)
 Anatomy and Physiology (CTE)
 Engineering Design and Problem Solving (CTE)
 Medical Microbiology (CTE)
 Pathophysiology (CTE)
 Advanced Animal Science (CTE)
 Advanced Biotechnology (CTE)
 Advanced Plant and Soil Science (CTE)
 Food Science (CTE)
 Forensic Science (CTE)
Four credits:
• Biology, AP Biology, or IB Biology
• Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry
• Physics, AP Physics, or IB Physics
• After successful completion of a biology course, a chemistry course, and a physics course, the fourth credit may be selected from any of the following:
 Aquatic Science
 Astronomy
 Earth and Space Science
 Environmental Systems
 AP Biology
 AP Chemistry
 AP Physics B
 AP Physics C
 AP Environmental Science
 IB Biology
 IB Chemistry
 IB Physics
 IB Environmental Systems
 Scientific Research and Design (CTE)
 Anatomy and Physiology (CTE)
 Engineering Design and Problem Solving (CTE)
 Medical Microbiology (CTE)
 Pathophysiology (CTE)
 Advanced Animal Science (CTE)
 Advanced Biotechnology (CTE)
 Advanced Plant and Soil Science (CTE)
 Food Science (CTE)
 Forensic Science (CTE)
Social Studies ♦
Two and one-half credits:
• U.S. History Studies Since Reconstruction (one credit)
• U.S. Government (one-half credit)
• The final credit may be selected from the following:
 World History Studies (one credit)
 World Geography Studies (one credit)
Three and one-half credits:
• World History Studies (one credit)
• World Geography Studies (one credit)
• U.S. History Studies Since Reconstruction (one credit)
• U.S. Government (one-half credit)
Three and one-half credits:
• World History Studies (one credit)
• World Geography Studies (one credit)
• U.S. History Studies Since Reconstruction (one credit)
• U.S. Government (one-half credit)
Economics with emphasis on the free enterprise system and its benefits ♦
One-half credit
One-half credit
One-half credit
♦ College Board advanced placement, college-level concurrent/dual enrollment, and International Baccalaureate courses may be substituted for requirements in appropriate areas.
* Distinguished Achievement Program requirements also include student achievement of four advanced measures.
Academic Elective
One credit from any of the following:
• World History Studies
• World Geography Studies
• Any science course approved by SBOE
(If substituting Chemistry or Physics for IPC, must use the other as academic elective credit here.)
None
None
Languages Other Than English ♦
None
Two credits: The credits must consist of any two levels in the same language.
Three credits: The credits must consist of any three levels in the same language.
Physical Education
One credit:
• The required credit may be from any combination of the following one-half to one credit courses:
 Foundations of Personal Fitness
 Adventure/Outdoor Education
 Aerobic Activities
 Team or 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 or commercially-sponsored physical activity programs conducted on or off campus
• In accordance with local district policy, up to one credit for any one 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.
One credit:
• The required credit may be from any combination of the following one-half to one credit courses:
 Foundations of Personal Fitness
 Adventure/Outdoor Education
 Aerobic Activities
 Team or 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 or commercially-sponsored physical activity programs conducted on or off campus
• In accordance with local district policy, up to one credit for any one 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.
One credit:
• The required credit may be from any combination of the following one-half to one credit courses:
 Foundations of Personal Fitness
 Adventure/Outdoor Education
 Aerobic Activities
 Team or 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 or commercially-sponsored physical activity programs conducted on or off campus
• In accordance with local district policy, up to one credit for any one 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.
Health Education
None
None
None
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)
One-half credit from either of the following:
• Communication Applications
• Professional Communications (CTE)
Technology Applications ♦
None
None
None
♦ College Board advanced placement, college-level concurrent/dual enrollment, and International Baccalaureate courses may be substituted for requirements in appropriate areas.
* Distinguished Achievement Program requirements also include student achievement of four advanced measures.
Fine Arts ♦
None for students who entered Grade 9 before 2010-11.
One credit for students who enter Grade 9 in 2010-11 or later 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)
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)
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)
Elective Courses ♦
Seven and one-half 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)
• Driver Education (one-half credit)
* For students who enter Grade 9 in 2010-11 or later, the number of electives will be six and one-half credits.
Five and one-half 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)
• Driver Education (one-half credit)
Four and one-half 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)
• Driver Education (one-half credit)
Total Credits
22
26
26