1. 2018-2019 Freshmen Parent Meeting

2. House Bill 5
Legislation passed in 2013 which changed graduation requirements
Also changed the amount of required STAAR End-of-Course Exams required for graduation

3. Required STAAR End-of-Course Exams
(Must pass all 5 in order to graduate)
English 1(freshman yr)
Biology (freshman yr)
US History (freshman yr)
Algebra 1 (8th or freshman yr)
English 2 (sophomore yr)
*Given 3 times per yr
(spring, summer, fall)

4. Graduation Requirements
-Foundation Only – 22 Credits (jr or comm college)
   4 English
3 Math
3 Science
3 Social Studies 
2 Lang Other than Eng (LOTE)
1 PE
1 Fine Art
5 Electives
*Speech/Health (local)
*Dollars & Sense/Personal Financial Literacy (local)
*World Geography (local)

5. -Distinguished Level of Achievement
(for entry into 4 year institutions)
Graduation requirements of at least 1 of the 5 endorsements
and
Algebra 2

6. Endorsements What are they?
Much like college majors, endorsements consist of a related series of courses that are grouped together by interest or skill set. They provide students with in-depth knowledge of a subject area. These courses are electives in addition to the foundation requirements.

7. TYPES OF ENDORSEMENTS OFFERED AT WHS
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
  (engineer, architect, scientist)
Public Services
  (teacher, doctor, lawyer, police, military)
Business and Industry
(vet, communications, marketing, sales, journalist)
Arts and Humanities
  (artist, musician, translator, theatre, writer)
Multidisciplinary
  (any career)

8. STEM
Must have Algebra 2, Chemistry and Physics plus one of the following:
*4 or more of a coherent sequence of CTE courses
*4 credits in computer science
*5 credits in math with two being higher than Alg 2
*5 credits in science including Bio, Chem, and Physics
*In addition to Alg 2, Chem and Physics, a coherent sequence of 3 additional credits from the
above areas

9. Business and Industry Coherent sequence of 4 or more CTE credits
4 Eng elective credits (3  from a selected list)
Four Tech Apps credits from a selected list
A coherent sequence of 4 credits from the above

10. Public Services
A coherent sequence of 4 or more credits in CTE (with final course from specific career clusters)
4 courses in JROTC

11. Arts and Humanities Total of 5 Social Studies Credits
4 levels of the same language in LOTE
2 levels of the same LOTE and 2 of another
4 levels of ASL
A coherent sequence of 4 credits of fine arts
4 English elective credits from a select list

12. Multidisciplinary
4 advance courses that prepare a student to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary education with remediation
4 credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include Eng 4 and Chem and/or Physics
4 credits in AP, IB, or dual credit selected from Eng, math, sci, soc stud, eco, LOTE, or fine arts

13. Performance Acknowledgements
12 hours of dual credit with at least an 80 avg
Bilingual/Biliteracy 
AP – scores of 3 or above on AP exam
College Entrance Exams 

14. REVIEW:
Two types of plans – Foundation and Foundation with Endorsement 
There are 5 endorsements – STEM, Business and Industry, Arts and Humanities, Public Service, and Multidisciplinary
Distinguished Level of Achievement (Endorsement + Alg 2)
Performance Acknowledgements

15. How and When are GPA’s figured?
Your GPA is your grade point average of your combined classes.
GPA is figured at the end of each semester, and new transcripts are distributed.
Your ranking  is a measure of how your performance compares to other students in your class.
Top 10% Rule (see handout)

16. Choosing Classes What is your end goal? How motivated are you?
Are you going to be involved in extra-curricular activities?
You MUST keep up your GPA!!
Do you want to take weighted classes?

17. Name
Choose One Endorsement
Eng 1 or PreAP
Alg 1 or PreAP Geom (if Alg 1 taken 8th)
US History
Bio or PreAP Bio
LOTE – Spanish 1 or German 1
Sign and Date
Give signed form to Counselor

18. Name
Eng or PreAP
Alg 1 or PreAP Geom
Bio or PreAP Bio
US History
Speech/Health (unless taking DC sophomore year)
LOTE – Spanish or German
Electives:
*Pick two (if taking speech/health)
*Pick three (if taking DC
       speech/health as a sophomore)
Give form to Counselor

19. When considering electives:
Athletics OR PE…not both
Yearbook, Band, Band Ensemble, Jazz Choir ---Tryouts
All sports except tennis & golf require Athletics
Color Guard – Marching Band
Public Service – Principles of Human Service
Business & Industry – Principles of Ag
STEM – Principles of Technology
UIL Class – For prep for UIL events