Four Year Graduation Plans in Humble ISD Updated October 2014 “Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” ~Pablo Picasso

Graduation Plans Foundation Program with an Endorsement Distinguished Level of Achievement

“A student entering Grade 9 in the school year and thereafter shall enroll in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program specified in Section of this title and the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement specified in Section of this title (relating to Endorsements).” Text of New 19 TAC Endorsements

What is an endorsement?  An endorsement is a broad area of study  It’s a bit like a college major ?

Distinguished Level of Achievement “A student may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing the curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program and the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement required by the Texas Education code (TEC)…including four credits in science and four credits in mathematics to include Algebra II.” Text of New 19 TAC

Why are students being pushed to choose a career pathway?  Students with career goals are 16% more likely to graduate from high school.  Students who participate in CTE courses are 30% more likely to complete high school.  Students with well-defined career goals are more likely to persist in college.  Students with well-defined career goals are more likely to attain jobs in their chosen career field after college.

Why choose so early?  Having a plan early allows you the chance to take advantage of all the opportunities that exist in Humble ISD.  Choosing your path early does not “lock” you in to that path. You can change your mind!  Exploring options early gives you a chance to figure out what you like and what you don’t.

 Because the new graduation requirements have just been developed, no one knows exactly how the new requirements will affect college admissions.  Therefore, it is VERY important for parents and students to check the specific admission requirements for any college a student may be interested in attending. How will colleges view the new graduation requirements? ?

Sample College Admissions Requirements CollegeEnglishMathScienceSocial StudiesLOTE U of Houston- Main4323(2) TX A&M4442 UT Austin43 (4)2 (3)3 TX State44432 (3) Baylor44432 UT San Antonio43322 Texas Tech4442 Sam Houston State4223 Stephen F Austin433(4)2 Rice43 (4)2 (4) UT Dallas43 (4) 2 (3) LSU44442 TCU43332 Lamar4322.5(2) Numbers are credit requirements for admissions. Numbers in parenthesis are recommended subject credit(s) for admissions.

What’s a credit?  High school students earn a half-credit for successful completion of each course each semester. Semester average must be 70% or better. Students may earn credit if the year-end average is 70% or better. Attendance matters! Students who fail to be in class 90% of the time may lose credit for the course. 26 credits are required for graduation.

College Level Courses Humble ISD offers a variety of pre-college and college level courses. All students whose career pathway requires a post-secondary education should consider preparing for the challenges of college by taking advantage of the these courses.  Available in most subject areas  Teacher input is valuable in making this decision  Prepare for college  Earn higher GPA  May earn college credits in 11 th & 12 th grade through Dual Credit courses, AP exams, or IB exams  Learn to think, read, and write critically and analytically

Who should take PreAP and AP classes? Self-motivated Hard-working Challenge-seeking Capable of handling faster pace Willing to invest extra time, but still keep BALANCE Planning to pursue a highly competitive field Students who are:

Portfolio name: humble+student ID Password: student ID Choices Planner –Under “Learn”, click “Course Plan Builder” –Click “Start a new school course plan” –Select the Endorsement area that matches your cluster –Then click “Add to your plan” We will work together to create the best 4 year plan for YOU Four Year Plans Ahead

Recommendations: 1.Choose a challenging level of rigor that prepares you for your career goals. 2.The 4 th English should be a bridge between high school and post- secondary goals. Humble ISD recommends taking a college-level course at least by senior year for those students planning on going to college. English Graduation Requirements English I (EOC) English II (EOC) English III Additional English

Recommendations: 1.Choose challenging math courses that will prepare you for your career goals. 2.The 4 th math course should be a bridge between high school and post-secondary goals. Humble ISD recommends taking a college-level course at least by senior year for those students planning on going to college. Math Graduation Requirements Algebra I (EOC) Geometry Algebra 2 and 1 additional credit

Laboratory-based Courses: 1.IPC 2.Chemistry 3.AP Chemistry 4.IB Chemistry 5.Physics 6.Principles of Physics 7.AP Physics 8.IB Physics Science Graduation Requirements Biology (EOC) 1 credit lab-based course 2 additional credits Recommendations: 1.Choose a challenging level of rigor that prepares you for your career goals. 2.Students may take either IPC or Biology their freshman year. Note: Students may not take IPC after taking Chemistry or Physics.

Social Studies Graduation Requirements U.S. History (EOC) U.S. Government and Economics World History or World Geography Recommendations: 1.Humble ISD recommends four years of social studies beginning with World Geography. 2.Choose a challenging level of rigor that prepares you for your career goals. 3.If students/parents wish to “skip” a year of social studies, Humble ISD recommends skipping the freshman year. Note: All students are required to take US History in the junior year.

Plan for your extracurricular activities!  Agriculture competitions  Athletics  Cheerleading  Debate  Drill Team  Fine Arts  JROTC  Once you’ve met the standard credit requirement, additional courses count as electives

Plan for your Endorsement  All students must choose an Endorsement.  Each Endorsement requires a series of courses.  Most of these courses have a required sequence.  Students may earn more than one Endorsement.  See your Planning Guide for specific Endorsement requirements.

OTHER Graduation Requirements 2 Credits LOTE 1 Credit Physical Ed. 1 Credit Fine Art Total of 26 Credits Recommendation: Humble ISD recommends beginning your foreign language requirement in your sophomore year unless you’ve already begun foreign language in middle school.

Languages Other Than English (2 credits required) Choose from: – Spanish – French* – German* – Latin* – American Sign Language (ASL)* * These LOTE options are not available on all campuses Must take 2 years of the SAME language – Ex: Spanish 1 & Spanish 2 Begin in 10th

Fine Arts (1 credit required) Choices –Art –Theater Arts or Tech Theater –Orchestra –Band –Choir –Dance Notes –Fall semester of Band can count as PE ½ credit OR as a Fine Arts ½ credit –Dance 1 gives students credit in BOTH Fine Arts & PE

Physical Education (1 credit required) PE Classes Athletics (any school sport) Fall semesters of Cheerleading Fall semesters of Band Junior ROTC 1 Drill Team or Dance 1 Off-Campus PE through approved vendor (requires application) PE Choices

 Partner with counselors & teachers.  Ask questions!!!  Learn more –visit the Humble ISD & Bridges websites frequently.  View your child’s PGP, goals, interest & values inventories, and more on  Check your child’s four year plans before you allow your child to submit the plan to his or her counselor. How can parents help?

is the tool that Humble ISD uses to help our students explore a wide variety of career options and make plans to achieve his or her goals– from school or from home! A motivated student who chooses a pathway is a more focused, achievement-oriented student.   Portfolio name: humble + 6 digit ID (Ex: humble123456)  Password: 6 digit ID (Ex: ) THE FUTURE AHEAD Bridges Helps Us Get It All Done!

Questions? For more information:  Visit with your child’s professional school counselor at his or her campus  Download the Endorsement One-pagers from Humbleisd.net  Visit