1. SY 1819 Course Requests and Your Graduation Plan
Advisory Sessions
Coffee with the Counselors
January - February 2018

2. House Bill 5 Decreased the number of End-of- Course exams from 15 to 5
9th grade: English 1, Algebra 1, and Biology
10th grade: English 2
11th grade: US History
Created 3 new graduation plans and added endorsements to ensure college and career readiness
Foundation
Foundation + Endorsements
Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA)

3. Performance Acknowledgements
House Bill 5
Endorsements
Performance Acknowledgements
Arts and Humanities*
Business and Industry*
Public Services
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)*
Multidisciplinary Studies**
For outstanding performance
in a dual credit course,
in bilingualism and biliteracy,
on an AP test or IB exam,
on the PSAT, the SAT, or the ACT
for earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license.
*Available YWLA, **Endorsement for all students

4. Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA)
Recommended graduation plan for all FWISD students
26 credits – including 4 credits in Math (including Algebra 2), 4 credits in science (including Physics), and completion of curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement
The graduation plan necessary to ensure admittance to a TX public university under the Top 10 percent automatic admission law
(2017: UT-Austin: top 7%)
The DLA plan also allows you to access the TEXAS Grant* to help pay for university tuition and fees
*Must be financially qualified

5. Endorsements @ YWLA Multidisciplinary – for all students
4 credits in each of the four foundation subject areas
Arts and Humanities: Fine Arts, Language Other Than English 
Business and Industry: Graphic Design
STEM: Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

6. DLA – 26 credits 4 English 1 Physical Education 4 Math 1 Fine Art
4 Science
4 Social Studies
2 World Language (of the same language)
1 Physical Education
1 Fine Art
0.5 Health 
0.5 Speech
5 Electives (Most often Endorsement courses, others if needed) 

7. Rising 12th Grade – Class of 2019
All are scheduled for a senior year of English – AP Literature or Humanities
All are scheduled for a senior year of Math – AP Calculus, AP Statistics, or Zero Hour (or a combination of)
All are scheduled for CRSS – College Application class with Mrs. Strange and Personal Financial Literacy
Senior Graphic Design class is now 1 credit and is named Problems and Solutions 1.
Government/Economics will now be AP (hasn’t been confirmed)
A 3rd year of Language is highly encouraged, if applicable

8. Rising 11th Grade – Class of 2020
A 3rd year of Language is highly encouraged, if applicable
Animation is now Graphic Design 2 - Double Blocked
All will take AP Language
If already taken Language as a 10th grader, will take AP Literature

9. Rising 10th Grade – Class of 2021
Pre AP English 2 or AP Literature (if already taken AP Language)
Anyone not currently in Geometry will take both Geometry and Algebra 2 next year to be better prepared for SAT and ACT
A2I may be an opportunity – have to take pre-test to get in
More information coming in April
A 3rd year of Language is highly encouraged, if applicable
To complete graduation requirements (Health/Speech, PE/Athletics, Fine Arts), may have to choose between Fine Arts and PE/Athletics/Cheer this year (or push a course needed for graduation to junior year)

10. Rising 9th Grade – Class of 2022
A 2nd year of Language is required for graduation; a 3rd year is highly encouraged, if applicable
To ensure sequence, must start CTE Path – PLTW, Animation, or Art (done by application)
Health and Speech
May have to choose between Fine Arts and PE/Athletics/Cheer this first year
Sample Schedule
English – Pre AP English 1 or Pre AP English 2
Math – Pre AP Algebra 1 or Pre AP Geometry
Science – Pre AP Biology
Social Studies – AP Human Geo
CTE: IED, DIM, or Art class
Language – Spanish/Chinese 2, Pre AP Spanish/Chinese 3, or SSPAN 3/4
Health and Speech
Either Fine Arts (Art, Band, Choir, Orchestra) or PE/Athletics/Cheer

11. How to Review my GEMS’ Academic Information
Sign up for Parent Portal
Families
Parent Portal (on the left side)
Ask your daughter to log into their FOCUS account and show you
Call or the HS Counselor – Mrs. Fowler