texas high school graduation requirements pdf

Texas High School Graduation Requirements

The Texas Legislature has changed high school graduation requirements for students who will be freshmen in the 2014-2015 school year or later. To receive a high school diploma‚ a student entering Grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year and thereafter must meet the requirements of one of the State Graduation Programs. Every public high school student in the state of Texas must follow one of the State Graduation Programs in order to receive a diploma. The graduation program your child chooses will determine the courses he or she must take and how many credits he or she will need to graduate.

General Requirements

In Texas‚ graduating high school requires meeting specific academic and credit requirements. These requirements are designed to ensure students have a well-rounded education and are prepared for further studies or the workforce. Students entering Grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year or later must meet the following general requirements to graduate⁚

• Credit Requirements⁚ Students must earn a minimum of 22 high school credits. These credits must be earned in various subject areas‚ including English‚ mathematics‚ science‚ social studies‚ fine arts‚ and health.
• End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments⁚ Students are required to pass five end-of-course (EOC) tests in specific subjects. These tests are administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and are designed to measure students’ mastery of the subject matter. The EOC tests are required for graduation and must be passed in order to earn a diploma.
• Grade Point Average (GPA)⁚ Students must maintain a final GPA equivalent to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. This requirement ensures that students are meeting academic standards and demonstrating a commitment to their education.

In addition to these general requirements‚ students must also meet the requirements of one of the State Graduation Programs. These programs provide a framework for students to choose courses and endorsements that align with their interests and future goals. The three State Graduation Programs in Texas are the Minimum Graduation Plan‚ the Recommended High School Program‚ and the Distinguished Achievement Program. Each program has its own set of course requirements and expectations.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides detailed information about high school graduation requirements on its website. The TEA’s website includes a variety of resources‚ including brochures‚ FAQs‚ and graduation toolkits. These resources can help students‚ parents‚ and educators understand the requirements for graduation and plan for the future.

It’s important to note that these requirements may be subject to change‚ so it’s always best to consult with your school counselor or the TEA website for the most up-to-date information.

Endorsements

Endorsements in Texas high school graduation are specialized areas of study that students can choose to pursue‚ providing them with a deeper understanding of a particular field and preparing them for college or career opportunities. These endorsements go beyond the general requirements and offer a focused pathway for students to gain specific skills and knowledge. While not mandatory for graduation‚ endorsements are highly recommended as they enhance students’ competitiveness in the job market or college admissions.

There are six main endorsement areas in Texas⁚

• Business and Industry⁚ This endorsement focuses on developing skills related to business‚ finance‚ marketing‚ and technology. Students in this endorsement may take courses in accounting‚ marketing‚ economics‚ and computer science.
• Public Service⁚ This endorsement prepares students for careers in public service‚ including government‚ law enforcement‚ and social work. Students may take courses in government‚ law‚ history‚ and social studies.
• Arts and Humanities⁚ This endorsement focuses on developing creative and critical thinking skills through the study of art‚ music‚ literature‚ and history. Students may take courses in painting‚ music theory‚ literature analysis‚ and history of art.
• Science‚ Technology‚ Engineering‚ and Mathematics (STEM)⁚ This endorsement prepares students for careers in science‚ technology‚ engineering‚ and mathematics. Students may take advanced courses in biology‚ chemistry‚ physics‚ computer science‚ and mathematics.
• Multidisciplinary⁚ This endorsement allows students to combine their interests from different subject areas. Students can choose to focus on areas like health science‚ agriculture‚ or environmental science.
• Undesignated⁚ Students who do not choose an endorsement can pursue a more general path‚ focusing on a broader range of courses.

Choosing an endorsement is a significant decision that should be made carefully‚ considering students’ interests‚ strengths‚ and future aspirations. It’s recommended to discuss the options with school counselors‚ teachers‚ and parents to determine the best fit for each individual student. Completing an endorsement can provide students with a valuable advantage in the competitive college admissions process or job market‚ showcasing their focused skills and knowledge.

Graduation Plans

Texas offers three distinct graduation plans for high school students‚ each tailored to cater to diverse learning styles and career aspirations. These plans provide a structured framework for students to choose their courses‚ ensuring they meet the necessary requirements for graduation while exploring their interests and preparing for their future endeavors. The three graduation plans are⁚

• Minimum Graduation Plan⁚ This plan is the most basic option‚ focusing on core academic subjects and providing a foundation for further education or career exploration. It requires a minimum number of credits in core subjects like English‚ mathematics‚ science‚ social studies‚ and fine arts. Students who choose the Minimum Graduation Plan may not be as well-prepared for college or specific career paths compared to other plans.
• Recommended High School Program⁚ This plan offers a more comprehensive approach‚ providing students with a broader range of courses and a stronger academic foundation. It includes additional requirements in specific subject areas‚ such as advanced courses in mathematics‚ science‚ and social studies. This plan is highly recommended for students planning to attend college or pursue a specific career path.
• Distinguished Achievement Program⁚ This plan is the most rigorous option‚ designed for students who excel academically and aspire to pursue advanced studies or highly competitive careers. It requires a significant number of credits in advanced courses‚ including Advanced Placement (AP) or dual credit courses. Students in this plan are eligible for automatic admission to any public university in Texas if they rank in the top 10 of their graduating class.

The choice of graduation plan should be a collaborative decision between students‚ parents‚ and school counselors. It’s crucial to consider students’ individual goals‚ interests‚ and academic abilities when selecting a plan that aligns with their aspirations and prepares them for their future. Each plan offers a unique pathway to graduation‚ and the right choice can significantly impact students’ college readiness and career opportunities.

State Graduation Programs

Texas has established a comprehensive system of State Graduation Programs to ensure students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their future endeavors. These programs offer a structured framework for students to choose their courses‚ earn credits‚ and meet the requirements for graduation while preparing them for college‚ careers‚ or both. Each program has its own unique requirements and focuses‚ allowing students to tailor their educational path based on their individual goals and interests.

These programs not only establish minimum standards for graduation but also foster a culture of high expectations‚ encouraging students to explore diverse subjects‚ develop critical thinking skills‚ and prepare for the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) plays a pivotal role in overseeing these programs‚ providing guidance and resources to schools and districts across the state to ensure consistency and quality in education.

The State Graduation Programs also emphasize the importance of career and technical education‚ providing students with opportunities to explore various career fields‚ develop practical skills‚ and gain valuable work experience. This focus on career readiness aligns with the evolving demands of the workforce‚ ensuring students are well-equipped to transition seamlessly into the professional world after graduation. In addition to traditional academic subjects‚ these programs encourage students to engage in extracurricular activities‚ community service‚ and leadership opportunities‚ fostering well-rounded individuals prepared to make positive contributions to their communities.

Minimum Graduation Plan

The Minimum Graduation Plan in Texas is designed to provide students with a fundamental foundation of knowledge and skills essential for success in life after high school. While it offers a more streamlined path to graduation compared to other programs‚ it doesn’t necessarily prepare students for specific career pathways or advanced academic pursuits. This plan is suitable for students who may not have clear post-graduation goals or who prefer a more general educational experience.

The Minimum Graduation Plan emphasizes core academic subjects like English‚ mathematics‚ science‚ and social studies‚ ensuring students develop a well-rounded understanding of key concepts and principles. It also includes requirements for physical education and health‚ recognizing the importance of physical well-being and healthy lifestyle choices. However‚ it doesn’t require students to specialize in a particular field or pursue advanced coursework.

Students who choose the Minimum Graduation Plan may have more flexibility in their course selection‚ allowing them to explore subjects outside their core academic areas. This can be beneficial for students with diverse interests or who want to discover new passions. However‚ it’s crucial for students and their families to understand that this plan may not provide the same level of preparation for higher education or specific career paths as other graduation programs. Students considering this plan should carefully consider their post-graduation plans and seek guidance from school counselors to ensure they are making the best choice for their future.

Recommended High School Program

The Recommended High School Program in Texas aims to provide students with a more comprehensive and rigorous educational experience compared to the Minimum Graduation Plan. It encourages students to explore their interests and prepare for future endeavors by offering a wider range of course options and emphasizing college readiness. This program is ideal for students who aspire to pursue higher education or specific career paths that require a strong academic foundation.

The Recommended High School Program includes all the core academic subjects mandated by the Minimum Graduation Plan‚ but it also encourages students to delve deeper into these subjects through advanced coursework. It provides opportunities for students to take elective courses in areas that align with their interests and career goals‚ allowing them to explore diverse fields and develop specialized skills. This program also emphasizes the importance of critical thinking‚ problem-solving‚ and communication skills‚ which are essential for success in both academic and professional settings.

Students who choose the Recommended High School Program are expected to meet higher academic standards and demonstrate a greater commitment to learning. They may have access to more advanced resources‚ such as AP courses‚ dual enrollment opportunities‚ and internships‚ which can enhance their college applications and prepare them for the challenges of higher education. The Recommended High School Program is designed to equip students with the knowledge‚ skills‚ and experiences they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving world‚ whether they pursue further education or enter the workforce directly after graduation.

Distinguished Achievement Program

The Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) in Texas is the most rigorous and challenging of the state’s high school graduation plans. It is designed for students who demonstrate a strong academic aptitude and a commitment to excellence. The DAP encourages students to pursue a comprehensive and demanding curriculum‚ preparing them for the challenges of higher education and future career success. This program is ideal for students who aspire to attend highly selective colleges and universities and who are motivated to excel in their academic pursuits.

The DAP requires students to complete a more extensive set of core academic courses than the other graduation plans‚ including four years of English‚ four years of mathematics‚ three years of science‚ and three years of social studies. It also emphasizes the importance of rigorous coursework‚ encouraging students to take advanced placement (AP) courses‚ dual enrollment classes‚ and other challenging academic programs. Students in the DAP are expected to demonstrate a high level of academic proficiency and critical thinking skills‚ preparing them for the demands of college-level coursework.

The DAP also offers students opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities and leadership roles‚ recognizing the importance of well-rounded development; Students who complete the DAP are eligible for a special diploma that acknowledges their academic achievements and demonstrates their readiness for higher education. The DAP provides a challenging and rewarding educational experience for high-achieving students‚ equipping them with the knowledge‚ skills‚ and experiences necessary to succeed in their chosen fields of study and contribute to society.