 Students will identify the Foundation High School Program Graduation Requirements.  Students will identify minimum course requirements at their college of choice.

 American School Counselor Association National Standards: This lesson is aligned with ASCA Academic Domain A: B2 (Plan to Achieve Goals); Competencies 1 &6: Students will establish academic goals in middle school and understand the relationship between classroom performance and success in school.

In order to graduate from high school in the State of Texas, a student must meet the requirements of the Foundation High School Program and the program contains up to four parts: (1) A 22- credit foundation program which is the core of the new Texas high school diploma; (2) Five endorsement* options that allow students to focus on a related series of courses; (3) A higher performance category called Distinguished Level of Achievement; and (4) Performance Acknowledgments that note outstanding achievement.

English (4 credits) English I, English II, English III, An advanced English course Math (3 credits)Algebra I, Geometry, An advanced math course Science (3 credits) Biology, IPC or An advanced science course, An advanced Science course Social Studies (3 credits) World History or World Geography, US History, US Government ( ½ credit), Economics ( ½ credit) Language other than English (2 credits) 2 credits in the same language or 2 credits from Computer Science I, II, III Physical Education (1 credit) Fine Arts (1 credit) Speech ( ½ credit)District Requirement Health ( ½ credit)District Requirement Electives (4 credits)

(1) STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; (2) Business & Industry; (3) Public Service; (4) Arts & Humanities; (5) Multi-Disciplinary Studies Endorsement: 4 Additional Credits for a total of 26 credits (example: if you choose the Public Service Endorsement, you will take 4 elective classes under that endorsement. You must complete 4 credits in order to graduate with that endorsement.) You will need 26 Total Credits to Graduate from High School (Foundation 22 credits + 4 Endorsement Credits = 26 Credits) 2. Explore the Endorsements

 Additionally, a student may earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement and/or a Performance Acknowledgment for outstanding performance.  The Distinguished Level of Achievement must be earned to be admitted to a Texas public university under the Top 10% automatic admission law.

 Foundation Program requirements (22 credits)  4 credits in Math including Algebra II  4 credits in Science  At least 1 endorsement  For a total of 26 credits

 PSAT, the ACT Plan, SAT, or the ACT:  PSAT: Commended Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, national Achievement Scholar or  ACT Plan: College Readiness in 2 of 4 subject tests or  SAT: Combined critical reading and math of at least 1250 or  ACT: Composite of 28 (excludes writing subscore)  Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license.  Dual credit courses: at least 12 dual credit hours with a grade of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.  Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Example – ELA courses w/3.0 or higher; 3 credits of Spanish with a 3.0 or higher or Spanish AP test w/3.0 or higher  AP test: Score of 3 or better on an AP exam

*A student entering 9th grade must indicate an endorsement he or she plans to follow. A student may change or add an endorsement at certain times. *Students must also pass 5 End-of-course exams to graduate from high school: English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and US History. *Students must pass the course with a minimum of a 70 to earn the credit. If the student fails the course, the student must re take the course until they pass it.

What is required to graduate from high school? How is that different from what is required to be admitted to college?

Thank You!! Questions / Concerns