4x4 Graduation Requirements Update Monica G. Martinez Division of Curriculum Texas Education Agency

House Bill 1 79 th Texas Legislature 3 rd Called Session SECTION Section , Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: (b-1) The State Board of Education by rule shall require that: (1) the curriculum requirements for the recommended and advanced high school programs under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students successfully complete four courses in each subject of the foundation curriculum under Section (a)(1); and (2) one or more courses offered in the required curriculum for the recommended and advanced high school programs include a research writing component.

4x4 Graduation Requirements Effective beginning with students who enter Grade 9 in 2007

House Bill 1 79 th Texas Legislature 3 rd Called Session English Language Arts and Reading English I English II English III English IV Social Studies U.S. History World History World Geography U.S. Government/Economics

Credit Requirements 26 Credits for Graduation under both Recommended and Distinguished Achievement Programs

Mathematics Recommended Program Mathematics—four credits. The credits must consist of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and a fourth mathematics course. The SBOE may designate additional courses at a later point in time.

Mathematics Recommended Program Precalculus Independent Study in Mathematics AP Statistics AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC AP Computer Science IB Mathematical Studies Subsidiary Level IB Mathematical Methods Subsidiary Level IB Mathematics Higher Level IB Advanced Mathematics Subsidiary Level Concurrent enrollment in college mathematics courses; Mathematical Models with Applications

Mathematics Distinguished Achievement Program Mathematics—four credits. The credits must consist of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and an additional SBOE approved mathematics course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite.

Mathematics Distinguished Achievement Program Precalculus Independent Study in Mathematics AP Statistics AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC IB Mathematical Studies Subsidiary Level IB Mathematical Methods Subsidiary Level IB Mathematics Higher Level IB Advanced Mathematics Subsidiary Level Concurrent enrollment in college mathematics courses;

Science Recommended Program Science – four credits. One credit must be a biology credit (Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology). Students must choose the remaining two credits from the following areas. Not more than one 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

Science Recommended Program 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 may be selected from the laboratory-based courses listed in 19 TAC Chapter 112 with the addition of Engineering and Earth and Space Science. The SBOE may designate additional courses at a later point in time.

Recommended Program IPC Phase-out A student entering Grade 9 beginning with the school year must take three science credits at least one from each category, from the following areas: (A) Biology, AP Biology, IB Biology (B) Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry; (C) 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 19 TAC Chapter 112

Recommended Program Fourth Year Science Courses  Astronomy  Aquatic Science  Environmental Systems  Earth and Space Science  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  Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems  Medical Microbiology and Pathophysiology  Engineering Concurrent enrollment in college courses The SBOE has directed the TEA to write new TEKS for the courses in red

Science Distinguished Achievement Program Science—four credits. The credits must consist of a biology credit (Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology), a chemistry credit (Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry), a physics credit (Physics, AP Physics, or IB Physics), and an additional approved laboratory based science course. * Principles of Technology deleted

Science Distinguished Achievement Program After successful completion of biology, chemistry, and physics a student may select the fourth credit from the following courses: Earth and Space Science; Environmental Systems; Aquatic Science; Astronomy; Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems; AP/IB Biology; AP/IB Chemistry; AP/IB Physics; AP Environmental Science; IB Environmental Systems Scientific Research and Design; and Engineering

TEA Listservs Join TEA curriculum related listservs for information. Bilingual/ESL Education Career and Technology Education ELA-Reading Gifted/Talented Education Mathematics Science Social Studies Texas Reading Initiative Texas Reading First Initiative To the Administrator Addressed

Contact Us Monica G. Martinez, Curriculum Director Division of Curriculum (512)