1. March 2014 HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Welcome!
We are very excited to see everyone here ready to learn about House Bill 5, and what this Bill means for our students. HB5 was passed by our governor on June 10 – so we have been carefully going through the 111 page piece of legislation intended to make sure that all students graduating from high school in Texas are prepared to pursue a college education and/or enter into a rewarding career path.
We are especially excited to see you here today, because, in order for HB5 to be successful, we need our students’ families to be involved in this process. A huge component of HB5 is planning course work and graduation plans, and we need for HISD parents and caretakers to be involved in this process to ensure that your children are taking advantage of all of the opportunities our schools can offer.
HB5 is very complex. The presentation that we have for you today is a broad overview to create awareness of the new law that will impact your child’s graduation. However, we anticipated that you would have questions about your child’s experience, or would like more specific information about your schools offerings, so we have invited representatives, including principals, counselors, registrars, and college access coordinators from each comprehensive high school in the district. They have set up booths in the back and are ready to take your questions about your child’s course of study. I will introduce those reps after the presentation. In the future, we encourage you to contact your school counselor with any questions particular to your child’s course of study and the material we are covering here today.
Now I would like to introduce our speaker, _________________.
March 2014
HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

2. Today, we will cover: New Graduation Plan for 2014-2015
Important Decisions Every Step of the Way
How You Can Help Your Child Succeed
What does the new graduation plan under HB5 look like?

3. So, What is House Bill 5 and What Does It Change?
HB5 connects your child’s school experience with college and a meaningful career
Some highlights:
Reduces the number of STAAR end-of-course exams required to graduate, from 15 to 5
Allows your child’s diploma to tell his or her story – with “Endorsements” such as STEM and “Performance Acknowledgements” for doing well on AP exams and other accomplishments
Creates a personalized learning plan in line with your child’s career interests and goals.
House Bill 5 helps parents and students define the path to graduate from high school, and move into college or a career.

4. Plan Your Path HB5: Part of a Bigger Message Reduction in testing
Graduations Requirements
Endorsements
Personal Graduation Plans
New accountability system
Plan Your Path
HB5 encompasses many aspects of a child’s graduation plan – it helps students “Plan your Path.” 4

5. When Do These Changes Take Effect?
Next year’s entering ninth-graders – the Class of 2018 – will be the first to graduate under HB5 requirements
Other changes have already gone into effect:
Attendance requirements – if students miss more than10 percent of days a class is offered, grade may be blocked with “NG” on report card
Personal graduation plans (PGPs) signed off by parents will now be required for at-risk middle school students and all high school students
Simplified accountability system for schools – noted on report cards as “met standard” or “improvement required”
HISD will mark an “NG*” on the report cards of students with too many unexcused absences in a class. If you see an NG on your child’s report card, don’t let it linger. Contact an administrator or counselor or designee at your child’s school to find out how s/he can receive a grade.

6. 22-credit Foundation Graduation Plan
HISD’s Standard 26-credit Graduation Plan
Algebra II
Endorsement
22-credit Foundation Graduation Plan
Together, these equal the Distinguished Level of Achievement – making your child eligible for Top 10% Automatic Admission
Distinguished Level of Achievement
Requires successful completion of:
Foundation program (22 credits)
Curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement (at least 26 credits)
4 math credits- must include Algebra II
4 science credits- must include one advanced course
*Students must earn Distinguished Level of Achievement in order to be eligible for Top 10% Automatic Admission to Institutions of Higher Education.
The distinguished level of achievement sets a high standard, but allows all students to start on an even playing field and ensures they are academically well-prepared.
In the past, some students may have had the highest GPA, but did not take high level courses like Algebra II. Now all students are required to take these courses under the distinguished plan.
A student may still graduate in the top 10% on just the foundation plan, but they are not guaranteed automatic admission under the top 10% rule. They can still attend 4-year universities, but all the elements of their application will be considered carefully for admission
High School diplomas will have a seal with any earned endorsement and acknowledgements. The endorsements and acknowledgements will also be clearly stated on the diploma and transcripts.
HISD’s Distinguished Level of Achievement is the standard grad plan for all 9th graders.

7. HISD’s Standard 26-credit Graduation Plan
Four Credits:
English I
English II
English III
Advanced English Course
Four Credits:
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Additional math course
Four credits:
Biology
Chemistry*
Physics*
Additional lab-based science course
One Credit:
Physical Education
Algebra II and Health credits cannot be substituted for anything else. Our BoE believes that health is important and vital to preparing a child for success as an adult.
Classes such as Chemistry, Physics, World History, and World Geography may be substituted for courses that fit the student’s interests. Please see your school counselor for more details.
*Allows for course substitution from TEA approved courses
(continued on next slide)

8. HISD’s Standard 26-credit Graduation Plan
Four Credits:
World Geography*
World History*
U. S. History
U.S. Government (one-half credit)
Economics (one-half credit)
One half credit:
Health
Two Credits:
Languages Other Than English (same language) or computer programming language
One Credit:
Fine Arts
Algebra II and Health credits cannot be substituted for anything else. Our BoE believes that health is important and vital to preparing a child for success as an adult.
Classes such as Chemistry, Physics, World History, and World Geography may be substituted for courses that fit the student’s interests. Please see your school counselor for more details.
Five and ½ credits:
Electives/Endorsement specific courses
*Allows for course substitution from TEA approved courses

9. Graduation Requirements: Opt Out Procedures
4/16/2017
Graduation Requirements:
Opt Out Procedures
All students will start on a path to Distinguished Level of Achievement
If, after the sophomore year or two years in high school, a change is desired, parent/guardian, student, counselor, and administrator must sign off and be in agreement to default to the Foundation Graduation Plan of 22 credits without earning an Endorsement.
State law allows for students to opt out of the distinguished plan at the end of their sophomore year. HISD recognizes that some students may be graduating with licenses and associates degree that may not want to go into a 4-year university. Therefore, students can opt out of distinguished plan by completing a form required by the Texas Education Agency. As stated before, these students will not be eligible for automatic admission into Texas public universities under the 10% rule.
Counselor must meet with student and parent/guardian to explain the benefits of graduating with an Endorsement and receiving a Distinguished Level of Achievement. Parent/guardian, student, counselor, and administrator must sign off and be in agreement to default to the Foundation Graduation Plan of 22 credits without earning an Endorsement.

10. What Is an Endorsement? A Way to Package Electives
An endorsement is similar to adapting a major when you enroll in a college or university.

11. Packaging a Student’s Electives: Endorsements
STEM
1 adv. Math or CTE Math
1 adv. Science or CTE Science
2 electives
Business and Industry
Arts and Humanities
CTE is short for Career Technology Education.
At the end of this school year, high school counselors or designees will be explaining the process of choosing endorsements to 8th grade students. Students can change their endorsement later.
In May, each high school’s website will provide a listing of all courses offered by that school in each of the 5 endorsements.

12. Packaging a Student’s Electives: Endorsements
Public Services
1 adv. Math or CTE Math
1 adv. Science or CTE Science
2 electives
Multi-disciplinary
CTE is short for Career Technology Education.
At the end of this school year, high school counselors or designees will be explaining the process of choosing endorsements to 8th grade students. Students can change their endorsement later.

13. Note: All 5 Choices Require Advanced Science and Math
1 advanced Math or CTE Math
1 advanced Science or CTE Science
2 electives
One of the required advanced math courses must be Algebra II.
CTE programs of study have been aligned to endorsements by campus

14. = Why is Algebra II Required?
Helps students score higher on the math portions of the SAT and ACT
Makes a student eligible for Top 10% admission to Texas colleges/universities
Not taking Algebra II can severely limit a student’s college experience =
Under House Bill 5, next year’s ninth-graders and those after them must take Algebra II to graduate under the Distinguished Level of Achievement graduation plan. Choosing not to graduate under this plan means they give up the opportunity to be automatically admitted to Texas public colleges and universities under the state’s Top 10 percent Rule – students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class are automatically accepted to state universities.

15. A New Way to Display Accomplishments on Diplomas
Performance Acknowledgement
For outstanding performance (in one of the following):
Dual credit courses (12 college hours, GPA of 3.0)
Bilingual and bi-literacy (in two or more languages)
AP test score of 3+ or IB exam score of 4+
PSAT, ACT-Plan, SAT, or ACT
For earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or licensure
The display will most likely be a seal.
HISD is establishing partnerships with HCC, Lonestar, and San Jacinto Community Colleges to offer dual credit courses at many of our campuses.
Our students that are already fluent or proficient in Spanish will have an advantage to earn a seal for outstanding performance in the bilingual or bi-literacy category. Bilingual students will earn the seal by scoring a minimum of 3 on the Spanish AP exam or scoring at least an 80 in their Spanish courses.
Many of our students already receive industry certifications in various areas. Some examples of industry certifications are:
Autcad Certified Association
Industrial Technology
Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)
Medical Assistant (Certified)
Pharmacy Technician
Cosmetology, Operator License
Strata
ASE - Engine Performance (A8)

16. Other Changes You Need to Know About
4/16/2017
Other Changes You Need to Know About
This year, if Algebra I is taken by a seventh or eighth-grader, the Algebra I End-of-Course (EOC) exam is the only requirement. The grade-level STAAR math assessment is NOT required.
HISD is limited to two district benchmarks per year (in this rule, a benchmark is defined as a test specifically designed to measure a student’s readiness for STAAR)
STAAR Modified is being discontinued (details will be sent to affected families)
English Language Learners who have been in the U.S. for 60 days will be classified as “1 Year in U.S. Schools”
NO Double testing in middle school math this year
STAAR Modified (for special education students)
STAAR-M is being discontinued statewide. This will be the last year of modified assessment in the country, not just in Texas. The USDE is holding all students to high expectations, and schools accountable for increasing the rigor of instruction to meet the demands of the assessment.
The modified assessment that is currently available is not too different from the STAAR. The content is the same, with simplified vocabulary, fewer answer choices, and easier to read font. Such things may be built into the STAAR for next year by TEA.
About 2% of all test-takers in the district currently take the modified assessment. We are developing a plan to improve inclusive instruction so that students who currently take the STAAR-M will be better prepared for the STAAR.
English Language Learners
In elementary school, 3 – 6th graders enrolled in a bilingual class will be eligible to take the STAAR L or the TELPAS. Students 7th grade and above must take the STAAR in English.

17. New Gradu ation Plan for 2014- 2015
Impor tant Decisi ons Every Step of the Way
How You Can Help Your Child Succe ed
Because there is a new graduation plan for , important decisions must be made every step of the way. How can we help your child succeed?

18. HB5 Requires All of Us to Work Together for Students’ Success
Engaged parents
Engaged students
Informed counselors/ college access coordinators/designees
Collaborative teachers and school support staff
It is important to visit your high school’s table tonight to meet your school’s counselor or designee. That way, when you have questions in the future, you know who to talk to.

19. How Will Students Develop a Personalized Plan?
Middle school students will complete a career-interest inventory in an online platform called Naviance.
Students may access Naviance at school and from home to develop a career interest profile and explore career fields and colleges based on their career goals.
In middle school, counselors will focus on developing personal graduation plans for Middle School students with two main objectives:
As interventions for students that fail STAAR or essential grades. Some students may be required to take 2 courses of math or stay after school for tutorials. These interventions take the form of the RTI component in Chancery. Some school will offer the intervention piece for every student
To develop career interest for all students. This component is covered by the Naviance career-interest inventory.
Parents are required to sign off on the graduation plans.
Parents and students can log-in to Naviance. Every school has a unique Naviance address and log-in code. Instruct parents to contact their schools for information on how to create a Naviance account. Parents can login to learn more about college access and scholarship topics, and access their child’s career interest profile.

20. How Will Students Develop a Personalized Plan?
In ninth grade (starting in ), a school counselor or school administrator will review a student’s personal graduation plan – including endorsement and distinguished level of achievement – with the student and his or her parents
In high schools counselors will help students develop personal graduation plans with two main objectives:
All students will be developing their 4-year graduation plan and talking about post-college readiness
As interventions for students that fail STAAR or essential grades
Counselors have the entire 9th grade school year to speak to students about the PGP. Parents are required to sign off on the graduation plans.

21. How Will Students Develop a Personalized Plan?
 Parents will review and sign a copy of the student’s personal graduation plan

22. New Gradu ation Plan for 2014- 2015
Impor tant Decisi ons Every Step of the Way
How You Can Help Your Child Succe ed
Hand microphone back to FACE representative.

23. How Can I Help My Child Make an Informed Decision?
Review information on Endorsements and visit school websites to see which programs are offered at your child’s school or at a school he/she wishes to attend
Meet with your child’s teacher
Information on endorsements will be available in April. Parentswill be able to find a listing of course offerings by endorsement on the school’s website.

24. How can I prepare my child for college and career in Elementary?
Schedule parent-teacher conferences on a regular basis
Read with your child and encourage your child to read on his/her own
Know the STAAR testing schedule (houstonisd.org/STAAR)
Check with your child’s school about upcoming career fairs. Volunteer and participate!
Visit a college campus!

25. How can I prepare my child for college and career in Middle School?
Maintain a strong relationship with your child – talk frequently.
Encourage your child to take challenging classes, such as Pre-AP or Pre-IB courses
Make attendance a top priority and set a daily routine
Check with you child about their career interests (check their Naviance career inventory)
Visit a college campus!

26. How can I prepare my child for college and career in High School?
Be sure they keep their grades up
Monitor their performance and help them request tutoring if needed
Meet with your child’s counselor
Encourage her to take AP, IB, and dual credit courses and exams
Be sure they attend school regularly.
Visit a college campus!

27. Resources and Tools for Families
4/16/2017
Resources and Tools for Families
HISD Website Principal Resource Page:
HISD STAAR Website:
HISD Plan Your Path Website: Houstonisd.org/planyourpath
TEA HB 5 Website:
HISD College Readiness Blog
hisd2college.wordpress.com
Please visit these websites for more information. They are valuable resources. Most are listed on your handout.

28. Meet your child’s high school representatives
Visit your child’s high school booth to ask counselors or designees about any questions you may have about HB5 and learn more about the school’s course offerings
This concludes our overview of HB5. We encourage you to use the remainder of our meeting time to visit your high school tables. The high school representatives will be able to answer any questions that you may have about the presentation.
Introduce high schools and representatives from each.
Thank you for coming!