The New Graduation Plans in Arp ISD “Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” ~Pablo Picasso Updated March 2014

Three New Graduation Plans  Foundation High School Program (FHSP)  Foundation High School Program with an Endorsement  Distinguished Level of Achievement

Comparison of Graduation Plans Minimum High School Plan Recommended High School Plan Distinguished Achievement Plan Foundation High School Program (FHSP) FHSP+Endorsement FHSP+Distinguished Level of Achievement How many total credits are required on this plan? What are the core credit requirements for this plan? English- 4.0 Math- 3.0 Science- 2.0 Soc Studies- 4.0 English- 4.0 Math- 4.0 Science- 4.0 Soc Studies- 4.0 English- 4.0 Math- 4.0 Science- 4.0 Soc Studies- 4.0 English- 4.0 Math- 3.0 Science- 3.0 Soc Studies- 3.0 English- 4.0 Math- 4.0 Science- 4.0 Soc Studies- 3.0(+) English- 4.0 Math- 4.0 Science- 4.0 Soc Studies- 3.0(+) What are the foreign language requirements? None 2 levels of the same foreign language 3 levels of the same foreign language 2 levels of the same foreign language with some exceptions What effect does this plan have on college admissions? May not be eligible to enter a university upon graduation Eligible for admission to a TX university Makes students more competitive for admission to a TX university Eligible for admission to a TX university Makes students more competitive for admission to any university and program Are students eligible for the Top Ten Percent? NoYes No Yes Are students eligible for the Texas Grant? NoYes Which students can choose this plan? Students who entered high school prior to Students who entered high school prior to Students who entered high school prior to Cohorts 2015, 2016, and beyond Is this plan flexible enough to meet my student’s unique needs? Offers very little flexibility Offers a number of plans that are designed to match each student’s interests Offers a number of plans that are designed to match each student’s interests but requires all students to complete Alg 2 Are there any extra requirements for this plan? No Yes, 4 Advanced Measures No, but students are eligible for performance acknowledgements Does this plan affect the look of the diploma? All students’ diplomas look the same regardless of the plan Students’ diplomas will designate the endorsement and performance acknowledgements Is there anything else I need to know? Must meet certain requirements to choose this plan with parent permission May choose after 10 th grade ONLY with parent permission 5 endorsement options: STEM Business and Industry Public Service Arts and Humanities Multi-disciplinary Must earn endorsement

Endorsements “A student entering Grade 9 in the school year and thereafter shall enroll in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program specified in Section of this title and the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement specified in Section of this title (relating to Endorsements).” Text of New 19 TAC

So, what’s an endorsement?  An endorsement is a broad area of study  It’s a bit like a college major

Why are students being pushed to choose a career pathway?  Students with career goals are 16% more likely to graduate from high school.  Students who participate in CTE courses are 30% more likely to complete high school.  Students with well-defined career goals are more likely to persist in college.  Students with well-defined career goals are more likely to attain jobs in their chosen career field after college.

Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) “A student may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing the curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program and the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement required by the Texas Education code (TEC)…including four credits in science and four credits in mathematics to include Algebra II. Text of New 19 TAC

English Graduation Requirements Four credits are required:  English I (EOC)  English II (EOC)  English III  Additional English Recommendations: 1.Choose a challenging level of rigor that prepares you for your career goals. 2.The 4 th English should be a bridge between high school and post- secondary goals.

Math Graduation Requirements 4 credits are required:  Two of the credits must consist of Algebra I (EOC) and Geometry (Algebra I is a prerequisite for Geometry)  The additional 2 credits may be selected from a number of math courses offered in Arp ISD Recommendations: 1.Choose challenging math courses that will prepare you for your career goals. 2.The 4 th math course should be a bridge between high school and post- secondary goals.

Science Graduation Requirements Four credits are required:  One credit must consist of Biology (EOC)  One credit must be selected from the following laboratory- based courses: 1.IPC 2.Chemistry 3.Physics  The other 2 credits may be chosen from a number of science and CTE courses

Social Studies Graduation Requirements Three credits are required:  One credit must consist of United States History Studies Since 1877 (EOC)  One credit must consist of United States Government (.5 credit) and Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits (.5 credit)  The third credit may be selected from the following courses: 1.World History Studies 2.World Geography Studies

Other Graduation Requirements...  Two credits of LOTE which must be any two levels in the same language  One credit of physical education  One credit of fine art  Students must have a total of 26 credits THEATRE

Notes on Endorsements  A student shall specify in writing an endorsement the student intends to earn upon entering Grade 9.  A district shall permit a student to enroll in courses under more than one endorsement before the student’s junior year and to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement other than the endorsement the student previously indicated.  A student must earn at least 26 credits to earn an endorsement.  An endorsement shows colleges and employers that the student is prepared to succeed at the postsecondary level and has a clear vision of what he or she wants to accomplish in school and in life!

Areas of Endorsements O STEM O Business & Industry O Public Services O Arts & Humanities O Multidisciplinary Studies

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Endorsement Students pursuing a STEM Endorsement must take Algebra II as their third math course and they must choose Chemistry and Physics as 2 of their science courses. Arp ISD offers 3 options for earning a STEM Endorsement: 1.Students can take a coherent sequence of course in the STEM cluster for 4 credits. 2.In addition to the 4 math courses already required, students can take an additional math course. 3.In addition to the 4 science courses already required, students can take an additional science course.

Business & Industry Endorsement Students can write their own ticket to success in the Business and Industry Endorsement. Nearly half of all jobs are in managerial and professional occupations, and nearly one-fourth of all workers are self-employed. Arp ISD offers different pathways for students who would like to pursue a Business and Industry Endorsement Occupation Average Wage Entry- level Wage Experience d Wage Chief Executive$79.81$7.00N/A Financial Manager$53.95$ Sales Manager$49.80$24.47$88.28 Agent/Manager of Artists, Performers, etc $41.86$9.06$86.41 Human Resources Manager$51.37$30.11$85.95 General Operations Manager$51.86$21.15$86.39 Training and Development Manager$50.85$26.33$80.10 Management Specialist$42.71$20.89$68.50 Property Manager$31.57$14.10$56.45 Public Relations Manager$64.89$30.50$72.92

What is a coherent sequence of courses for the B&I Agriculture Mechanics cluster? Students may earn a Business & Industry endorsement in the Architecture Mechanics cluster by successfully completing 4 or more credits. Suggested Grade Level CourseCredit(s) 9Principles of Agriculture1 10Agricultural Mechanics & Metals1 11 Agricultural Facilities Design and Fabrication 1 12 Business Information Management I1 Practicum1

Suggested Grade Level CourseCredit(s) 9Principles of Agriculture1 10 Dollars & Sense1 10, 11Veterinary Medical Applications1 11, 12Advanced Animal Science1 What is a coherent sequence of courses for the B&I Veterinary/Animal Science cluster?

Students may earn a Business & Industry endorsement in the Marketing cluster by successfully completing 4 or more credits. What is a coherent sequence of courses for the B&I Finance cluster? Suggested Grade Level CourseCredit(s) 9Principles of Business Marketing & Finance1 10Accounting I1 11Accounting II1 12Business Management1

Suggested Grade Level CourseCredit(s) 9 Principles of Business Management & Administration 1 10 Accounting I 1 11 Business Information Management I 1 12Business Information Management II1 What is a coherent sequence of courses for the B&I Business Management cluster? Students may earn a Business & Industry endorsement in the Business cluster by successfully completing 4 or more credits.

Suggested Grade Level CourseCredit(s) 9Principles of Hospitality & Tourism1 10 Hotel Management.5 Travel & Tourism.5 11Business Information I1 12Business Information Systems II1 Students may earn a Business & Industry endorsement in the Hospitality and Tourism cluster by successfully completing 4 or more credits. What is a coherent sequence of courses for the B&I Hospitality & Tourism cluster?

What is a coherent sequence of courses for the B&I Information Technology cluster? Students may earn a Business & Industry endorsement in the Information Technology cluster by successfully completing 4 or more credits. Suggested Grade Level CourseCredit(s) 9Principles of Information Technology(P)1 10Digital & Interactive Multimedia1 11Web Technologies1 12Business Management1

Suggested Grade Level CourseCredit(s) 9Principles of Human Services1 10 Child Development.5 Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness 11Child Guidance1 12Practicum1 Business Management1 What is a coherent sequence of courses for the Public Service endorsement Human Services cluster? Students may earn a Public Service endorsement in the Human Services cluster by successfully completing 4 or more credits.

Arts and Humanities Endorsement Students who choose an endorsement in Arts and Humanities will be designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing and publishing multimedia content, including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services. In addition, students with this endorsement may be serving as translators, ambassadors, teachers, and historians. Arp ISD offers 2 different pathways for students interested in an Arts and Humanities Endorsement.

Arts and Humanities Endorsement Options A & H LOTE Option FHSP plus: Total Credits Additional Math Additional Science Four levels of the same language Or Two levels of one language and two from another language English 4.0Math 4.0Science 4.0Social Studies 3.0 Required 4.0 Electives A & H Fine Arts Option \ FHSP plus: Total Credits Additional Math Additional Science Four coherent sequences courses in: Art Music Theatre English 4.0Math 4.0Science 4.0Social Studies 3.0+ Required 4.0 Electives ? 26 Distinguished Level of Achievement: Students completing the Multi-Disciplinary endorsement must take Algebra II as one of the 4 math requirements in order to complete the DLA and be eligible for the Top 10%.

Multi-Disciplinary Endorsement Multi-Disciplinary Core Course Option FHSP plus: Total Credits English IV Additional Math Chemistry and/or Physics Additional Social Studies Additional MathAdditional Science English 4.0Math 4.0Science 4.0Social Studies 4.0Required 4.0Electives Multi-Disciplinary \ FHSP plus: Total Credits Additional Math Additional Science 4 credits in Dual Credit courses chosen from ELA, Math, Social Studies ( History, Government & Economics) English 4.0Math 4.0Science 4.0Social Studies 3.0+Required 4.0Electives ? 26 Distinguished Level of Achievement: Students completing the Multi-Disciplinary endorsement must take Algebra II as one of the 4 math requirements in order to complete the DLA and be eligible for the Top 10%.

What to do now??? O Choose Graduation Plan Type O Select Endorsement Area O Complete 9 th grade course selection

Graduation Plan Type O Foundation + Endorsement O Distinguished

Choose Endorsement Area O STEM O Business & Industry O Arts & Humanities O Public Services O Multidisciplinary

Finish Class Selection Sheet O Select 4 more classes O Sign, date, and O Turn in

What can parents do to help? Parents can play a key role in helping their child develop a Personal Graduation Plan by becoming partners with counselors and teachers. Parents are encouraged to learn more about endorsements and career clusters by visiting both the Arp ISD frequently. Parents can share information about their own careers and initiate career discussions with family and friends who work in a field that interests their child. Parents can volunteer to help the school district locate meaningful paid and unpaid internships for our students.. Together, we can make a huge impact in our young people’s lives!

Questions? For more information:  Visit the counselor’s index located on the Arp High School website.    