1. Graduation requirements
State Board of Education
House Bill 5

2. Graduation requirements
ALL current 8th grade students will graduate on the Foundation High School Plan with endorsement (major).
Current 9th – 12th grade students may choose this option as well.
The Distinguished level of achievement and performance acknowledgment(s) are available for students showing outstanding performance in one or more areas.

3. Parent permission and school administration approval required.
CURRENT
ECISD MINIMUM PLAN
English – 4 credits
English I --OR-- English I SOL
English II English II SOL
English III English III
Additional English Additional English
Mathematics – 3 credits
Algebra I Geometry Additional Math
Science – 2 credits
Biology IPC
If IPC is not taken, then student must complete Chemistry and Physics/Principles of Technology
Social Studies – 4 credits
World Geography World History
United States History Government Economics
Communication Applications or Professional Communications – 0.5 credit
Physical Education – 1 credit
Foundations of Personal Fitness Athletics
Aerobic Activities Cheerleading JROTC
Marching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual Sports
Adventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off-Campus PE
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Orchestra Choir Band Theater Dance Art
Floral Design Animation Fashion Design
Electives – 6.5 credits
22 CREDITS TOTAL
NEW
FOUNDATION PROGRAM
English – 4 credits
English I --OR-- English I SOL
English II English II SOL
English III English III
Additional English Additional English
Mathematics – 3 credits
Algebra I Geometry Additional Math
Science – 3 credits
Biology Additional Science Additional Science
Social Studies – 3 credits
World Geography -OR- World History -OR- Combined Course
United States History Government Economics
Communication Applications or Professional Communications
– 0.5 credit
Physical Education – 1 credit
Foundations of Personal Fitness Athletics
Aerobic Activities Cheerleading JROTC
Marching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual Sports
Adventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off-Campus PE
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Orchestra Choir Band Theater Dance Art
Floral Design Animation Fashion Design
Foreign Language – 2 credits of the same language
(ARD/504/principal waiver review)
Spanish French Latin German
American Sign Language (Dual) Chinese (GT only)
Computer Programming Language
Electives – 4.5 credits
22 CREDITS TOTAL
In most cases, student denied access to publicly funded universities and colleges.
Student denied access to Texas Grant monies for failure to graduate on the recommended or distinguished plan.
Parent permission and school administration approval required.
Student NOT denied access to publicly funded universities and colleges.
Student NOT denied access to Texas Grant monies for failure to graduate on the recommended or distinguished plan.
Parent permission and school administration approval required.

4. GRADUATION CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS GRADUATING 2015-16-17 SCHOOL YEAR
RECOMMENDED PROGRAM
English – 4 credits
English I OR English I SOL
English II English II SOL
English III English III
English IV English IV
Mathematics – 4 credits
Algebra 1 OR Algebra I
Geometry Geometry
Math Models Algebra II
Algebra AND one of the following:
Pre-calculus Independent Study of Math Independent Study of Math – Algebra III
Math for Innovators AP Computer Science
AP Statistics
Statistics and Risk Management
Science – 4 credits
Biology OR Biology
Integrated Physics/Chemistry Chemistry
Chemistry Physics or Principles of Tech
Physics or Principles of Technology AND one of the following:
Aquatic Science Forensic Science Astronomy
Anatomy and Physiology Earth and Space Science
AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics AP Environmental Science
Medical Microbiology Pathophysiology
Social Studies – 4 credits
World Geography World History
US History US Government (0.5) Economics (0.5)
Speech - .5 credit
Physical Education – 1 credit
Foundations of Personal Fitness Athletics Aerobic Activities
Marching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual Sports Cheerleading
Adventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off Campus PE JROTC
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Orchestra Choir Band Theater Dance \ Art Floral Design Animation Fashion Design
Foreign Language – 2 credits of the same language
Spanish Latin French German
American Sign Language (Dual) Chinese GT only
Electives – 5.5 credits
26 CREDITS TOTAL
DISTINGUISHED PROGRAM
English – 4 credits
English I OR English I SOL
English II English II SOL
English III English III
English IV English IV
Mathematics – 4 credits
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Science – 4 credits
Biology
Chemistry
Physics or Principles of Tech
AND one of the following:
Aquatic Science Forensic Science
Anatomy and Physiology Earth and Space Science
AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics APEnvironmental Science
Medical Microbiology Pathophysiology
Social Studies – 4 credits
World Geography World History
US History US Government (0.5) Economics (0.5)
Speech - .5 credit
Physical Education – 1 credit
Foundations of Personal Fitness Athletics Aerobic Activities
Marching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual Sports Cheerleading
Adventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off Campus PE JROTC
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Orchestra Choir Band Theater Dance Art Floral Design Animation Fashion Design
Foreign Language – 3 credits of the same language
Spanish Latin French German
American Sign Language (Dual) Chinese GT only
Electives – 4.5 credits
26 CREDITS TOTAL
**Advanced Measures – 4**
Exam scores of 3 or above on AP and 4 or above on IB/ Dual credit grade of B or better and/or PSAT National Qualifying score   `
FOUNDATION PROGRAM WITH ENDORSEMENT
English – 4 credits
English I OR English I SOL
English II English II SOL
English II English III
Advanced English Advanced English
Mathematics – 4 credits
Algebra 1
Geometry
Additional Math
 Science – 4 credits
Biology
IPC or Advanced Science
Additional Science
Additional Science (**Arts and Humanities)
Social Studies – 3 credits
World Geography Or World History Or Combined Course
US History US Government (0.5) Economics (0.5)
Speech - .5 credit
Physical Education – 1 credit
Foundations of Personal Fitness Athletics Aerobic Activities Marching Band (10th-12th) Team or Individual Sports Cheerleading
Adventure/Outdoor Education Approved Off Campus PE JROTC
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Orchestra Choir Band Theater Dance
Art Floral Design Animation Fashion Design
Foreign Language or Substitute – 2 credits of the same language
Spanish Latin French German American Sign Language (Dual) Chinese GT only
Computer Programming Language
Electives – 6.5 credits
FOUNDATION PLAN - *DISTINGUISHED
*Required for Eligibility for Automatic Admission for College/University-Top 10%
**Substitution Allowed 
ADDITIONAL CHOICES:MULTIPLE ENDORSEMENT(S)
PERFORMANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT(S)
26 CREDITS TOTAL

5. Distinguished Achievement
Distinguished Achievement Indicated on Academic Achievement Record (transcript)
Required for students to be considered for top10% automatic admission into public 4-year colleges and universities in the State of Texas
Requires 4 Math credits to include Algebra II
Requires 4 science credits
Requires completion of at least one endorsement
Currently transcripts are coded with Minimum Program, Recommended Program, and Distinguished Achievement Program.

6. Indicated on Academic Achievement Record (transcript)
Performance Acknowledgment
Indicated on Academic Achievement Record (transcript)
Earned by a student for outstanding performance in multiple areas
Designated on student’s diploma
Currently this detailed information is not included on your student’s transcript or diploma.

7. DUAL CREDIT DESIGNATION
Performance Acknowledgement
DUAL CREDIT DESIGNATION
Complete at least12 hours of college academic courses with a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale including:
College academic courses
Advanced technical credit
Articulated courses; or
Complete of an associate degree while in high school

8. bilingualism & bi-literacy
Performance Acknowledgement
bilingualism & bi-literacy
Complete all English language arts requirements and maintain a minimum grade average of an 80 on a scale of 100 in the ELA courses ; and
Complete at least 3 credits in the same language other than English with a minimum grade average of an 80 on a scale of 100; or
Complete a level IV or higher level language other than English with an 80 on a scale of 100; or
Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English by earning
a score of 3 or more on a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam in a language other than English; or
a score of 4 or higher on an International Baccalaureate exam in a higher level languages other than English course; or
performance on a national assessment of language proficiency in a
language other than English of at least Intermediate High or its
equivalent

9. BILINGUALISM & BI-LITERACY FOR ENGLISH
Performance Acknowledgement
BILINGUALISM & BI-LITERACY FOR ENGLISH
LANGUAGE LEARNERS
In addition to the general requirements for bilingualism & bi- literacy, an English Language Learner must also:
Participate in an English as a second language (ESL)program
Meet Exit Level criteria of the ESL program
Score at the Advanced High Level on Texas English language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS)

10. INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
Performance Acknowledgement
ADVANCED PLACEMENT OR
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
Earn a score of 3 or above on an Advanced Placement Exam
Earn a score of 4 or above on an International Baccalaureate Exam

11. PSAT/ACT-PLAN/SAT/ACT
Performance Acknowledgement
PSAT/ACT-PLAN/SAT/ACT
Earn a score on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) that qualifies for recognition as a Commended Scholar or higher, or as part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) Scholar, or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program, or
Achieve a college readiness benchmark score on 2 of the 4 subject areas on the ACT-PLAN exam, or
Earn a combined critical reading and mathematics score of at least on the SAT, or
Earn a composite score on the ACT exam of 28 (without writing)

12. BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE
Performance Acknowledgement
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE
Perform on an exam or series of exams sufficient to obtain a national or international business or industry certification.
Perform on an exam or series of exams sufficient to obtain a government required credential to practice a profession.

13. Endorsements
ALL students MUST specify in writing an ENDORSEMENT upon entering the 9th grade.
A student’s endorsement is like a high school “major” – it determines what sequence of classes to be taken and what kind of career to be pursued after high school.
A student may change an endorsement in the future if needed and may also have more than one endorsement.

14. Endorsements Endorsement Areas: Total Credits w/Endorsement = 26
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
Business & Industry
Public Services
Arts & Humanities
Multidisciplinary Studies
Total Credits w/Endorsement = 26

15. Endorsements STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
Includes courses directly related to:
STEM CTE career cluster
Science
Math

16. Endorsements Business & Industry Includes courses directly related to:
Agricultural science
Architecture & construction
Arts, A/V technology & communications
Business management & administration
Finance
Hospitality & tourism
Information technology
Manufacturing
Marketing
Transportation, distribution & logistics
Communication
Technology Applications

17. Endorsements Public Services Includes courses directly related to:
Education & training
Health science
Human services
Law, public safety, corrections, & security
JROTC

18. Endorsements Arts & Humanities Includes courses directly related to:
Social studies
Languages other than English
Fine arts

19. Endorsements Multidisciplinary Studies
Requires 4 advanced courses within one or more endorsement areas that are not in a coherent sequence; or
Requires 4 credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English IV, Chemistry, and/or Physics; or
Requires 4 credits in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credits selected from :
English • Economics
Math • Languages other than English
Science • Fine arts
Social Studies

20. EOC: End of Course Exams with Level II Satisfactory Performance
English I
English II
Algebra I
Biology
U.S. History

21. Course Description Guide
For more information,
please see the
Course Description Guide