Graduation requirements

Three graduation plans are available, but one, the minimum high school program (22 credits), has been de-emphasized due to concerns that it does not contain courses required for success in college. All 9th grade students must now 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 at www.tea.state.tx.us/graduation.

Requirement for four credits in each of the four core curriculum areas

Students entering the 9th grade under the recommended or distinguished high school program must complete 4 credits each in English language arts, math, science and social studies (in addition to other requirements) in order to graduate. Legislation passed in 2009 changes current law/rules by requiring that for students in the recommended and distinguished high school programs, .5 credit of the 4 credits required for social studies must be in economics, and students in the minimum high school program must complete 1 credit of fine arts. The legislation also reduces the PE credit required in the recommended high school program from 1.5 credits to 1 credit and allows the PE credit to be met in all three high school graduation programs by participating in a private or commercially sponsored physical activity program offered on or off a school campus and outside of the regular school day, if approved by the commissioner. Additionally, the State Board of Education now must allow students who are unable to participate in physical activity due to disability or illness to substitute a credit in a core subject or academic elective for the required physical education credit. The SBOE also adopted rules aligning the minimum and distinguished graduation plans with the recommended high school graduation plan resulting in all three graduation plans requiring only 1 credit of PE, which can also be earned through participation in athletics, JROTC, drill team, marching band or cheerleading. In addition, the SBOE removed the credit requirements for health and technology applications under the minimum and distinguished graduation plans. Finally, the number of electives has increased under the recommended high school program from 3.5 to 6, and under the distinguished high school program from 2.5 to 5.

Under the recommended high school program, the 4 math credits must include Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry. After successful completion of Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry, a student may select the fourth required credit from a list of courses approved by the SBOE.

For science, 1 credit must be a biology credit (Biology, AP Biology or IB Biology). Students must choose 2 credits from the following areas, but not more than 1 credit may be chosen from each of the areas to satisfy this requirement: (a) Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); (b) Chemistry, AP Chemistry or IB Chemistry; and (c) Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics or IB Physics. IPC must be completed prior to chemistry and physics so it cannot be taken as the final or fourth year of science. The fourth year of science may be selected from a list of courses approved by the SBOE.

A student entering grade 9 beginning with the 2012-13 school year must take 3 science credits, at least 1 from each of the following areas: (a) Biology, AP Biology or IB Biology; (b) Chemistry, AP Chemistry or IB Chemistry; and (c) Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics or IB Physics. The fourth year of science may be selected from a list of courses approved by the SBOE. Again, IPC may serve as the additional science credit but it must be successfully completed prior to chemistry and physics.

The SBOE is required to approve a variety of math and science courses that can be taken by a student after completion of Algebra II and physics to meet the requirements of the recommended and distinguished high school programs. So far, the SBOE has approved 10 fourth year career and technical education science courses. Additionally, the SBOE has approved two CTE courses that can be selected for the fourth math credit and two CTE courses that can count as one of the 4 math credits if taken prior to Algebra II in the recommended program.

Personal finance as graduation requirement

Instruction in personal financial literacy, including methods of paying for college and other post-secondary education and training, must be a part of one or more courses needed for graduation and any course that meets the requirements for an economic credit.

Personal graduation plan/STAAR failure

Principals must designate school personnel to implement a personal graduation plan for middle/junior high/high school students who have failed the required state assessment or will not likely graduate on time.