HB 5 & High School Endorsements

House Bill 5 Changed Graduation Plans for Texas Students Established the Foundation High School Program as the default graduation program for all students entering high school beginning in 2014-2015.

Side-by-Side Comparison

What Are Endorsements? Educational Pathways for incoming high school students (2014-2015) Students can choose from 5 endorsement areas:

Endorsement Requirements A student may earn an endorsement by successfully completing: Curriculum requirements for the endorsement 4 credits in mathematics 4 credits in science 2 additional elective credits

Endorsements School district must ensure that each student, on entering 9th grade, indicates in writing an endorsement that the student intends to earn. A district must permit a student to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement other than the endorsement the student previously indicated.

Endorsements A district must allow a student to enroll in courses under more than one endorsement before the student's junior year.

Endorsements A course completed as part of the set of four courses needed to satisfy an endorsement requirement may also satisfy a requirement under the foundation high school program, including an elective requirement. Example:

Distinguished Level of Achievement • A total of four credits in math, including credit in Algebra II • A total of four credits in science • Completion of curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement

Performance Acknowledgements For outstanding performance: • in a dual credit course • in bilingualism and biliteracy • on an AP test or IB exam • on the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the ACT For earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

Resources http://www.austinisd.org/graduation-plans/journey-graduation