Presented by: GPISD Counseling Department Spring 2016

All students will register online through Skyward using their Skyward student password. Make sure you know your password!!!! Students and parents will be able to view and make changes to the course selections online for two weeks following registration. A copy of the selected courses will be mailed to your home in May. Any additional changes should be made in writing and must be submitted to your high school counselor no later than June 3, 2016.

English I English II Algebra I Biology U.S. History Note: All students in the Class of 2015 and beyond must meet satisfactory performance on all five exams to receive a high school diploma in the state of Texas. STAAR/EOC remediation courses will be added to your schedule if you do not pass STAAR/EOC exams thereby limiting your elective course selections.

Welcome to the new Foundation High School Plan!!! There are three levels to the new FHSP: Foundation, Foundation with Endorsements and Distinguished Achievement There are opportunities to earn Performance Acknowledgements A student and parent shall specify in writing which endorsement the student intends to earn when entering the 9 th Grade

Level I: Foundation (No Endorsement) – 22 Credits The Foundation Plan with no endorsement is reserved only for special populations in their Junior or Senior year with parent permission. Level II: Foundation Plan with Endorsement – 26 Credits STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Business & Industry Arts & Humanities Public Services Multidisciplinary Studies Level III: Distinguished Achievement – Completion of the Foundation Plan with at least one endorsement AND Algebra II Note: ONLY students completing the Distinguished Level and graduating in the top 10% of their class will be eligible for college admission under the top 10% automatic admission law

Texas High School Diploma Distinguished Eligible for Top 10% Automatic Admission Must have one or more Endorsements Algebra II must be one of the Math classes Distinguished Eligible for Top 10% Automatic Admission Must have one or more Endorsements Algebra II must be one of the Math classes Endorsements - 26 credits - (4 th math, 4 th science, & 26 or more credits) Endorsements - 26 credits - (4 th math, 4 th science, & 26 or more credits) Foundation-22 credits (Special Populations Only) 4 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA, I, II, III & advanced English) 3 MATHEMATICS (Algebra I, Geometry & 1 advanced math) 3 SOCIAL STUDIES (World Geography or World History, US History, & Government/Economics) 3 SCIENCE (Biology, IPC or advanced science, and additional advanced science) 2 FOREIGN LANGUAGES, 1 FINE ARTS, 1 PHYSICAL EDUCATION, 5 ELECTIVES Foundation-22 credits (Special Populations Only) 4 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA, I, II, III & advanced English) 3 MATHEMATICS (Algebra I, Geometry & 1 advanced math) 3 SOCIAL STUDIES (World Geography or World History, US History, & Government/Economics) 3 SCIENCE (Biology, IPC or advanced science, and additional advanced science) 2 FOREIGN LANGUAGES, 1 FINE ARTS, 1 PHYSICAL EDUCATION, 5 ELECTIVES

The FHSP will be completed by all students. Think of the FHSP as the basic courses you will need to complete in addition to the course requirements needed for your selected endorsement. The FHSP includes 22 of the 26 credits needed to graduate with an endorsement.

Foundation Courses (22 Credits) + Endorsement Courses (4 Credits) = 26 Credits Subject Areas:Foundation Plan Credits: Required for all Endorsements Additional Credits Needed for Endorsement: English4 Math31 (Advanced or CTE Math) Science31 (Advanced or CTE Science) Social Studies3 Foreign Language2 Fine Arts1 Physical Education1 Electives5 * As required by the endorsement Total Credits for Graduation 2226

Must include courses directly related to: Science, including environmental science Technology, including computer science Engineering Advanced mathematics

Must include courses directly related to: Database management Information technology Communications Accounting Finance Marketing Graphic design Architecture Construction Welding Logistics Automotive technology Agriculture science Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

Must include courses related to: Health sciences and occupations Education and training Law enforcement Culinary Arts and Hospitality Cosmetology

Must include courses related to: Fine Arts Political Science World Languages Cultural Studies English Literature History

Allows students to select a combination of courses from the curriculum of each of the endorsement areas: STEM Business & Industry Public Services Art & Humanities

Choosing an endorsement is similar to choosing a college major. Ask yourself what career field you truly want to explore… Each completed endorsement will be reflected on your transcript indicating mastery of a particular course of study, and you can graduate with more than one endorsement. Ask yourself how many endorsements you would like to complete…

Achieve outstanding performance : In a dual credit course or In bilingualism and biliteracy or On an AP test or On the PSAT, the SAT, or the ACT or Earn a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license Each completed performance acknowledgement will be reflected on your transcript.

Scheduling: A Day Periods: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 B Day Periods: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 Credits: Earned at the end of each semester Students can earn 4 credits each semester (4 credits x 8 semesters = 32 credits) Earning 32 credits makes it possible to graduate with multiple endorsements! Must attend class 90% of the days class is offered to earn credit. More than 6 absences in a class can result in loss of credits Sponsor Approved Courses: Will not be placed on a student’s schedule until roster is received from the sponsor listing the student’s name. (All Sports, Drill Team, Band and all others that apply)

Seniors should make final decision on which college they plan to attend, begin applying in the fall and retake the ACT/SAT as necessary before the end of the first semester. Juniors should take the SAT and/or ACT for the first time during the fall of their Junior year, begin narrowing college selections, and begin researching scholarships. Sophomores should research colleges and determine requirements for admission or career certifications. Freshmen should research colleges and careers and select courses relative to their career path.