Parents and HB5

What is a House Bill 5 diploma? Passed in 2013, House Bill 5 changed the requirements for a Texas high school diploma. If your child will be a freshman in August 2014,or thereafter, they will be on this diploma plan. It also changed the amount of End of Course (STAAR) tests students have to take for a diploma.

What tests does my child need for a diploma? Biology United States History Algebra I English I English II * Note that the English tests are one day Reading and Writing combined tests.

What else do I need to know about testing? Biology, Algebra I and US History are 4 hour exams. English I and II are 5 hour tests with both reading and writing. The test is attached to when your child takes the course, not a particular grade level. For instance, if your child take Biology as a freshman they will take the EOC that year. However, if they take it as a sophomore then they will take it that year.

HB5 Graduation plans Foundation requirements Endorsements Arts & Humanities Business & Industry Multidisciplinary Studies Public Services STEM Distinguished Level Performance Acknowledgements

What is the Foundation? Foundation = the 22 credits needed for this type of basic diploma Your child cannot move to only a Foundation diploma until the end of their sophomore year and there must be a meeting between you and your child’s counselor to get your consent. This is the minimal amount of courses for a diploma. Your child is still required to pass the EOC tests.

Foundation = 22 credits Electives – 5 credits Basics – 17 credits Core subject areas credits and LOTE not used for Basic requirements Other Fine Arts/Health/PE credits CTE, Technology Applications, and Career Development Some may overlap for Endorsement requirements 4 credits ELA/R 3 credits of Math 3 credits of Science 3 credits of Social Studies 1 credit of PE 1 credit of Fine Arts Art, Band, Theatre Arts, Choir, Floral Design, Music Exploration 2 credits of LOTE (Foreign Language) Spanish 1 & 2

What is an Endorsement? Endorsement = a set of classes that go together to help create an area of study for a student Endorsements follow a pattern set by the district. This customizes the diploma to support your child’s college and career pathway. Students study in areas where they are interested or have a talent/aptitude.

Endorsements for China Spring H.S. Arts & Humanities Business & Industry Multidisciplinary Studies Public Services STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

ARTS & HUMANITIES PATHWAYS

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY PATHWAYS

MULTIDISCIPLINARY PATHWAY

PUBLIC SERVICE PATHWAYS

STEM PATHWAYS

New Definition for Distinguished Distinguished Level = Credits for the Foundation Credits for one Endorsement 4 Math and 4 Science One of the math must be Algebra II

What will my child need to be in the top 10%? GPA requirements set by District Policy Achievement of Distinguished Level

What other things can help my child have a stronger diploma? Performance Acknowledgements Dual Credit AP Courses PSAT, SAT, ACT-PLAN and ACT Bilingualism/Biliteracy

Performance Acknowledgements Dual credit – 12 hours with 3.0+ English 3 & 4, US History, US Government & Economics AP score of 3+ English 3 & 4, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science & Spanish 4

Performance Acknowledgements PSAT, SAT, ACT-PLAN, ACT PSAT = commended scholar or higher ACT-PLAN = college readiness in two of four subject areas SAT = combined reading and math score of 1250+ ACT = composite score of 28 (excluding writing)

Performance Acknowledgements Bilingualism/Biliteracy – ELAR average of 80+ and one of: 3 LOTE with GPA of 80+ Proficiency in Level IV LOTE with GPA of 80+

How is the HB5 Plan documented? The type of Endorsements and Performance Acknowledgements your child earns will be written on their: Transcript Remember a transcript is like a resume!

GPA Calculations The Grade Point Average (GPA) will be calculated using a multiple Tier system. Advanced Tier – 5.0 scale – Weighting applies to Honors, AP and Dual Credit courses only. Regular Tier – 4.0 scale – Weighting applies to regular education courses including summer school for acceleration. Modified Tier – 3.0 scale – Weighting applies to modified curriculum and/or instruction such as special education, credit recovery & summer school credit for remediation.

GPA Conversion Chart

How is the GPA calculated? The transcript will list the courses taken by Subject Area. Under column SE, if the course was taken on an advanced level, it will be documented with an “H”, “P” or “D” the Adv. Tier level is used. Find the grade the student earned, then follow across chart to the Tier level of the course to locate the points received.

Example In this example, the “H” under the SE column designates that this course was taught on an Honors level, therefore the Advanced Tier column will be the points this student receives for the GPA calculations.

Locate the grade on the chart and follow across, under the appropriate Tier level for that course, to the grade points for each semester of all courses the student has taken. Add all the points and divide by the total number of semesters. This will be the GPA used for Class Ranking.

How is the College 4 Point calculated? The College 4 Point is not based on a Course Tier level. All courses are the same and follow the chart below. Add the total points for each semester grade and then divide by the total # of semesters. Grade Points 100 – 90 4 89 – 80 3 79 – 70 2 69 & below