1. Presented by: GPISD Department of Educational Support Spring 2014
Galena Park ISD House Bill 5 - District Parent Meeting: New Graduation Requirements
Presented by:
GPISD Department of Educational Support
Spring 2014

2. Welcome Parents! OUR GOALS:
Prepare you and your 8th grade student for high school by:
Providing information on the new graduation requirements developed under House Bill 5
Sharing information on graduation requirements so family discussions on Endorsements can begin.
Answer and address concerns regarding the selection of an Endorsement plan and the path to graduation

3. Online Registration
All students will register online through Skyward using their Skyward student password.
Make sure your child knows his/her password!!!!
Students and parents will be able to view and make changes to the course selections online for one week following registration.
A copy of the selected courses will be mailed home in May. Any additional changes should be made in writing and must be submitted to your child’s high school or middle school counselor no later than June 6, 2014.

4. End of Course Exams Required for Graduation
English I
English II
Algebra I
Biology
U.S. History
Note:
All students in the Class of 2015 and beyond must meet satisfactory performance on all five exams to receive a high school diploma in the state of Texas.
STAAR/EOC support courses will be added to your child’s schedule if he/she does not pass STAAR/EOC exams thereby limiting elective course selections.

5. Graduation Plan Options
Students currently in high school (Class of 2015, 2016, and 2017) may graduate under the current high school graduation plans (Recommended Plan or Distinguished Plan) or under the new Foundation High School Plan under House Bill 5.
Students currently in the 8th Grade (Class of 2018) and beyond will graduate under the new Foundation High School Plan under House Bill 5.
Students may NOT mix plans

6. Current High School Plans Class of 2014 - 2017
Recommended Plan – 26 Credits
Distinguished Plan – 26 Credits and completion of four advanced measures
___________________________________________________________________________________
Recommended Plan:
4 Credits of English
4 Credits of Math
4 Credits of Science
4 Credits of Social Studies
2 Credits of LOTE – Same Language
1 Credit in Physical Education
½ Credit of Speech
1 Credit of Fine Arts
5 ½ Credits of Electives
Distinguished Plan
3 Credits of LOTE – Same Language
4 ½ Credits of Electives
Advanced Measures: 3 or higher on AP Exam, 3.0 in Dual Credit , PSAT Commended Scholar, PSAT National Merit Scholar

7. What did House Bill 5 Change?
Reduced State Testing Requirements
From: 15 EOC Tests to graduate
To: 5 EOC Tests to graduate
Changed Graduation Requirements
From: Old Recommended/Distinguished Plan
To: New Foundation Plan with Endorsements
State Accountability
From: Measuring a district’s performance on student test scores only
To: Measuring a district’s performance on student test scores, financial
soundness and community engagement
House Bill 5 allows for student choice, flexibility and a more focused course of study.

8. Future High School Students Class of 2018 and Beyond…
Welcome to the new Foundation High School Plan!!!
There are three levels to the new FHSP: Foundation, Foundation with Endorsements and Distinguished Achievement
There are opportunities to earn Performance Acknowledgements
A student and parent shall specify in writing which endorsement the student intends to earn when entering the 9th Grade
All 8th grade students will be provided with a student letter indicating their selected Endorsement as indicated on the World-Of-Work Map by interest choices made on the ACT-EXPLORE

9. New Foundation High School Plan
Performance
Acknowledgements
Distinguished
Endorsements
Foundation Plan

10. New Foundation High School Plan
Level I: Foundation (No Endorsement) – 22 Credits
The Foundation Plan with no endorsement is reserved only for special populations in their Junior or Senior year with parent permission.
Level II: Foundation Plan with Endorsement – 26 Credits
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Business & Industry
Arts & Humanities
Public Services
Multidisciplinary Studies
Level III: Distinguished Achievement – Completion of the Foundation Plan with at least one endorsement AND Algebra II
Note: ONLY students completing the Distinguished Level and graduating in the top 10% of their class will be eligible for college admission under the top 10% automatic admission law

11. Graduation Requirements Class of 2018 and Beyond…
Subject Areas:
Foundation Plan with Endorsement Credits:
Required for all Endorsements
English 4
Math
Advanced or CTE Math Course
Science
Advanced or CTE Science Course
Social Studies 3
Foreign Language 2
Fine Arts 1
Physical Education
Electives 7
Total Credits for Graduation 26
Core Course Credits (19) + Elective Credits (7) = 26 Credits

12. Must include courses directly related to:
STEM Endorsement
Must include courses directly related to:
Science, including environmental science
Technology, including computer science
Engineering
Advanced mathematics

13. Business & Industry Endorsement
Must include courses directly related to:
Database management
Information technology
Communications
Accounting
Finance
Marketing
Graphic design
Architecture
Construction
Welding
Logistics
Automotive technology
Agriculture science
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

14. Public Services Endorsement
Must include courses related to:
Health sciences and occupations
Education and training
Law enforcement
Culinary Arts and Hospitality

15. Arts & Humanities Endorsement
Must include courses related to:
Fine Arts
Political Science
World Languages
Cultural Studies
English Literature
History

16. Multidisciplinary Studies Endorsement
Allows students to select a combination of courses from the curriculum of each of the endorsement areas:
STEM
Business & Industry
Public Services
Art & Humanities

17. Which Endorsement should my child choose?
Choosing an endorsement is similar to choosing a college major. Ask your child what career field sparks the most interest…
Each completed endorsement will result in a seal on the diploma and transcript indicating mastery of a particular course of study, and your child can graduate with more than one seal. Ask your child how many seals he/she would like to earn for graduation…
The endorsement your child selects in the 8th grade can be changed if the current career choice changes in later years. Your child’s counselor will review the plan annually to ensure graduation requirements are being met and to give your student a chance to make any necessary changes.

18. How does my child earn Performance Acknowledgements?
Achieve outstanding performance :
In a dual credit course or
In bilingualism and biliteracy or
On an AP test or
On the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the ACT or
Earn a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license
And earn additional academic seals on your diploma and transcript!

19. Moving from Middle School to High School…
Scheduling:
A Day Periods: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
B Day Periods: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Credits:
Earned at the end of each semester
Students can earn 4 credits each semester (4 credits x 8 semesters = 32 credits)
Earning 32 credits makes it possible to graduate with multiple endorsements!
Must attend class 90% of the days class is offered to earn credit. More than 6 absences in a class can result in loss of credits
Sponsor Approved Courses:
Will not be placed on a student’s schedule until roster is received from the sponsor listing the student’s name. (All Sports, Drill Team, Band and all others that apply)

20. College and Career Preparation
Seniors should make final decision on which college they plan to attend, begin applying in the fall and retake the ACT/SAT as necessary before the end of the first semester.
Juniors should take the SAT and/or ACT for the first time during the fall of their Junior year, begin narrowing college selections, and begin researching scholarships.
Sophomores should research colleges and determine requirements for admission or career certifications.
Freshmen should research colleges and careers and select courses relative to a career path.

21. Final Comments…
If you have any questions, please fill out a form and leave with us.
You will be notified once the House Bill 5 link is up and running on the District website
Thank you for coming!