1. Course Selection Information
The Foundation High School Program + Endorsement
Katy ISD Freshman Class of
Students first entering 9th grade in and thereafter will graduate on the Foundation High School Program, or FHSP, plus Endorsements.

2. Grade level classification
Students are classified based on the year they first entered 9th grade and the number of academic credits they have earned at the beginning of the school year. The FHSP + Endorsement requires a total of 26 credits.
All students who have completed 8th grade enter high school as freshmen regardless of how many credits you may have earned in junior high school.

3. Class rank
Class rank is based on the cumulative grade point average of high school credit courses. A student’s grade point average is derived by dividing the total number of grade points by the number of semester courses attempted. Class rank is first officially calculated during the SPRING semester of the JUNIOR year and is updated after each subsequent semester.
Your class rank is based on the total grade points for semester averages of all high school credit courses you take, including any high school credit courses taken in junior high. Class rank is figured by dividing the total number of grade points by the number of courses attempted. Class rank is first calculated in the spring semester of the junior year and is updated each semester after that,

4. The foundation high school program: Basic information
All FHSP students must choose an endorsement in one of 5 areas at the time of entry into 9th grade.
Katy ISD students are selecting the endorsement along with their course selections.
Students will have the opportunity to change the endorsement.
The endorsement, and any changes, must be indicated in writing and signed by the parent.
All students are required to choose an endorsement in one of 5 areas: STEM, Business & Industry, Public Services, Arts & Humanities, or Multidisciplinary Studies. We’ll have more information on the endorsement areas a little later in this presentation.
The endorsement choices are listed at the top of the 9th grade course selection sheet. Each student should choose one endorsement category along with the course selections for next year.
The endorsement should be chosen based on the student’s individual interests and career goals, and the should align with courses you intend to take while in high school. There are notes throughout the course catalog about which endorsement areas certain courses support.
If necessary, the endorsement can be changed if necessary, with your parent’s approval and their signature.
See Course Catalog page 11

5. FHSP+Endorsement vs RHSP+DAP
FHSP+Endorsement Plan- Students who entered High School starting the 2014 school year and thereafter. In other words, this is YOUR PLAN.
RHSP+DAP- Students who entered High School BEFORE the 2014 school year. This is NOT your plan.

6. The foundation high school program: Basic information
Beginning in 9th grade, counselors will meet individually with students and parents to develop a Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) outlining the student’s course of study.
The Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) will be reviewed each year and must be signed by the parent.
Beginning in 9th grade, the high school counselor will meet with each student and their parents to develop an individualized Personal Graduation Plan, or PGP, which will be updated each year. Since the goal is to meet with each student, these meetings will be scheduled throughout the school year and will begin by early October.
The PGP is designed to map out the student’s course of study to support individual educational and career goals throughout high school, and also to help set you up for success beyond high school, whether your plan is to go to college or into a technical program, or go directly into the workforce.

7. The FHSP + Endorsement Course/credit requirements
English – 4 credits
English I, II, III, and an additional/advanced English
Math – 3 credits
Algebra I, Geometry, and an additional/advanced math
Science – 3 credits
Biology, and one course from IPC, or Chemistry, or Physics, and an additional/advanced science
Social Studies – 3 credits
US History, .5 credit government, .5 credit economics, and either World History or World Geography
LOTE (Foreign Language) – 2 credits
Credits must be in the same language
Fine Arts – 1 credit
Physical Education – 1 credit
Health – .5 credit (KISD requirement)
Electives – 4.5 credits, including
A communication skills component
+ Endorsement (4 additional credits)
Students are expected to earn an endorsement in one of 5 areas. Each endorsement requires:
a 4th math credit
a 4th science credit
2 additional electives
The foundation high school program includes 22 credits: 4 credits in English, 3 maths, 3 sciences, 3 social studies, 2 credits in the same language in a language other than English, 1 fine arts, 1 PE a half credit health and 4.5 elective credits. .
See Course Catalog page 10

8. Other Languages (2 yr requirement)
A minimum of 2 years in a foreign language is required to graduate.
American Sign Language (ASL)- availability based on enrollment; write in another foreign language in the “alternate selection” just in case ASL course is not available.
You can take 3+ years of a foreign language.
You can graduate with more than 1 foreign language (still need a minimum of 2 yrs in each foreign language).
LOTE/CBE- Summer option of testing out of a language.

9. Course notes
Health – Health is a Katy ISD-required graduation credit for all students(1 sem).
Communication Skills (FHSP) – Students on the FHSP must have a communication skills component; however, there is no separate speech credit requirement. The communication skills component can be satisfied through Professional Communications, Communication Applications, Debate, Oral Interpretation, Professional Standards in Agribusiness, Teen Leadership(sem)
, Theatre, Dual Credit Speech.
Please note that priority is given to upperclassmen.

10. Course notes
PE substitutions – All students must earn one PE credit. The credit may be earned through a traditional PE or Athletics course, or one of the following approved PE substitutions:
fall semesters of Marching Band I and Marching Band II,
fall semesters of Color Guard,
Dance,
Dance Team I,
Cheer – 1st year (if PE credit has not already been earned), or
NJROTC.

11. The 22-credit Foundation

12. The Fhsp + Endorsement
The endorsement is built on top of the foundation. To earn an endorsement in any category, the student must complete a fourth credit in Math and a fourth credit in Science, as well as two additional elective credits, bringing the total number of required credits for the Foundation High School Program + Endorsement to 26.

13. STEM Science ￭ Technology ￭ Engineering ￭ Math
STEM requires completion of Algebra II, Chemistry, and Physics.
The STEM endorsement includes courses of study related to:
Advanced science courses; or
Advanced math courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite; or
Computer Science / Computer Programming; or
A cross-disciplinary study of advanced math and advanced science
A STEM endorsement requires a coherent sequence of 4 credits in at least one of the bulleted courses of study.
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Please note that while all endorsements require 4 math credits and 4 science credits, STEM is the only endorsement that specifies Algebra II, Chemistry, and Physics as requirements for earning the endorsement.
Stem Option 1-Advanced Science (5)- Bio, Chem, Physics, 2 additional Sciences
Stem Option 2-Advance Math (5)- Alg 1, Geom, Alg 2, 2 additional maths
Stem Option 3- Coherent Sequence of Computer Science courses
Stem Option 4-Courses beyond Chem & Physics; Alg II, Computer Sciences, STEM CTE Career Clusters (up to 2 cat)

14. Business & Industry
The Business & Industry endorsement requires completion of 4 or more Career and Technology Education (CTE), including 2 courses in the same career cluster, selected from:
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Architecture & Construction
Arts, Audio/Visual Technology & Communications
Business
Finance
Hospitality & Tourism
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Marketing
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
The business and industry endorsement includes courses of study from a wide variety of areas.
Each of the courses of study listed on this screen are in Career and Technical Education or Technology Applications.
Business & Industry also includes courses of study in Journalism and Speech. .
The final way to earn a Business and Industry Endorsement is through completion of a combination of courses from CTE, English, and/or Technology as listed above.

15. Business & Industry (2 of 3)
The Business & Industry endorsement may also be earned through the completion of four (4) English Language Arts electives, including:
Three (3) levels in one field of journalism
Newspaper; or
Yearbook; or
Three (3) levels in either
Debate; or
Oral Interpretation
Business & Industry also includes courses of study in Journalism and Speech. The requirements for an endorsement in one of these categories are slightly different than those for the other Business & Industry courses of study. The student must complete
three levels in one area of journalism—Newspaper or Yearbook, or
three levels in one area of speech—Debate or Oral Interpretation
plus one other English Language Arts elective. The additional English elective must be separate from the 4 English credits required for the Foundation.
For Newspaper or Yearbook students, the additional credit would be journalism, the prerequisite course for either program.
There are multiple additional English Language Arts elective credit options for students pursuing a Debate or Oral Interpretation course of study.
A Business & Industry endorsement in the areas listed on this screen requires a progressive sequence of 3 levels in one of the bulleted courses of study, plus one additional English Language Arts elective.

16. Business & Industry (3 of 3)
The Business & Industry endorsement may also be earned through the completion of four (4) Technology Applications electives, including:
Digital Design & Media Production
Digital Art & Animation
Digital Communication in the 21st Century
Audio Video Production
The Business and Industry endorsement may also be earned through a combination of courses forming a coherent sequence, selected from various categories within the endorsement.
Business & Industry also includes courses of study in Technology Applications.
The final way to earn a Business and Industry Endorsement is through completion of a combination of courses from CTE, English, and/or Technology as listed above.

17. Public services
The Public Services endorsement requires completion of credits in at least one career cluster, selected from:
Education & Training
Government & Public Administration
Health Science
Human Services
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps)
The Public Services endorsement also includes Career and Technical Education courses of study, in a wide variety of areas, including all Health Sciences.

18. Arts & Humanities
The Arts & Humanities endorsement may be earned through completion of at least one of the following:
Four English elective credits related to literature; or
Five Social Studies credits; or
Four levels in the same language in a Language Other than English; or
Two levels/credits of one language in a Language Other than English and two levels/credits of a second language in a Language Other than English; or
A progressive sequence of four credits, selected from one or two Fine Arts disciplines, including Art, Dance, Music, and Theatre; or
Four English elective credits: English IV, Independent Study in English, Literary Genres, Creative Writing, Research & Technical Writing, Humanities, or AP English Literature & Composition.
The Arts and Humanities endorsement relates to English other than speech or journalism, Social Studies, Languages Other than English, as well as to each of the fine arts disciplines, which include Art, Dance, Music and Theatre.
This endorsement requires completion of at least one of the bulleted courses of study.

19. Multidisciplinary studies
The Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement requires completion of at least one of the following:
Four additional/advanced credits, from within one endorsement area or from various endorsement areas, that prepare the student to either
successfully enter postsecondary education without the need for remediation; or
successfully enter the workforce.
Four credits in each: English Language Arts (must include a traditional English IV), Math, Science (must include Chemistry and/or Physics), and Social Studies; or
Four AP, International Baccalaureate (transfer students only; not offered in KISD) or dual credit courses, selected from English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts and/or LOTE.
The multidisciplinary studies endorsement allows you to select a course of study from several different areas, and there are several ways to earn this endorsement.
If you are interested in pursuing a multidisciplinary studies endorsement, you should be aware that the each of the options for earning this endorsement have some pretty specific course requirements.

20. Thinking ahead: Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA)
A Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) may be earned through successful completion of:
All requirements for the Foundation High School Program, plus
The requirements of at least one endorsement, including
Algebra II among the four required math credits, and
A fourth science credit
A student must graduate with a Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) to be considered for the Top 10% and eligibility for automatic admission to a Texas public college or university.
Now let’s jump ahead a little, but it’s important to plan ahead….
The distinguished level of achievement, or DLA is important because it is REQUIRED for the student to be considered for the Top 10% and therefore be eligible for automatic admission to a Texas public college or university.
The requirements for a DLA are pretty much the same as those for any endorsement; but, Algebra II is specified as a requirement for earning the DLA, regardless of which endorsement you choose to pursue.
As stated earlier, STEM is the only endorsement that requires the completion of Algebra II.
The Distinguished Level of Achievement will be noted on the transcript and diploma.
See Course Catalog, page 10, under “Recognitions”

21. Thinking ahead: performance acknowledgments
Performance Acknowledgements may be earned in one or more of the following categories:
AP test score of 3 or above;
IB test score of 4 or above (transfer students only as the International Baccalaureate program is not available in Katy ISD);
Qualifying PSAT score based on the 11th grade test;
SAT combined critical reading and math score of 1250 or above;
ACT composite score of 28 or above;
College course with a final grade of A or B (3.0 or above);
Bilingualism and biliteracy; and
Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license.
Performance acknowledgments are special recognitions for exemplary performance. In most cases, Performance Acknowledgements will be earned in the student’s junior and senior years.
A qualifying PSAT score is a score through which the student is eligible for National Achievement, National Hispanic, or National Merit recognition. The qualifying score is set by the College Board and varies year-to-year.
See Course Catalog, page 10, under “Recognitions”

22. Choosing courses for the freshman year
Choose an endorsement,
Selections must include one course from each of the following
English,
Math,
Science (Biology)
Students are required to take either World Geography (a 9th grade option) or World History (taught at 10th grade level) Please note that some colleges prefer 4 year of Social Studies.
Choose courses selected from other areas to complete the seven class periods
If one course marked (sem) is selected, a second (sem) course is also required.
When making your course selections, please review the course catalog.
Students and parents should be aware of any prerequisites, grade restrictions, course fees, or after school commitments. Also, be sure to review “Selecting Courses for the Next School Year” and the Katy ISD schedule change procedures, both on page 25 of the course catalog.
Sometimes a chosen class doesn’t fit in the student’s schedule. Please be sure to list alternate courses that interest you just in case one of the first choice classes doesn’t work with the your schedule.
Talk to your counselor about your course selections and get his or her input on your selections. If you have questions about course selections, your counselor can help!
And finally, turn in the completed course selection sheet according to how your campus has instructed!

23. Choosing courses for the freshman year
Warning! If you are taking any high school credit courses this year, the same course must not be chosen for next year.
If you are in athletics, choose only one athletics program on the course selection sheet.
Band requires special consideration:
If you are in band but not in athletics, select the band option that gives fall PE credit and spring Fine Arts credit;
If you are in both athletics and band, select the band option for the full year Fine Arts credit.

24. Choosing courses for the freshman year
Review the course catalog when making course selections.
Pay special attention to “Selecting Courses for the Next School Year” on page 26, including the “Schedule Changes” information
List alternate choices in the spaces provided.
Discuss your endorsement choice and course selections with your counselor!
Turn in the course selection sheet as instructed by your campus.

25. Course verifications for the freshman year
You will receive a course verification sheet later in the spring.
The course verification sheet lists course selections and endorsement for 2015 – 2016.
The selected endorsement appears as an additional course
Review all selections for accuracy.
Make any necessary changes on the verification sheet.
List alternate choices in the order of preference.
Turn in the course verification sheet as instructed by your current campus.
This is the time to be certain that the endorsement and courses you chose for your freshman year are the right fit for you. If you want to make any changes, please note them at this time.

26. Course verifications and schedule changes
Now is the time to discuss course options with parents, teachers, and school counselors. Based on the input received, students may request a change in course selections for the following year until the conclusion of the spring semester. After course verification, requests for schedule changes will be honored for a limited number of reasons such as:
Error in scheduling on part of school, such as data entry error;
Student failure in a prerequisite course;
Change in program (athletics, fine arts, etc.);
Level changes as recommended by teachers and school counselor with parental knowledge and principal approval;
Student did not meet standard on the STAAR/EOC, or did not meet standard on the benchmark test.
It’s important that your course verifications are accurate. These are the “Big 5” reasons that schedule changes will be granted after the school year begins. This information, along with more detail, is explained on page 26 of the course catalog
See Course Catalog, page 26, under “Schedule Changes”

27. Final notes
And finally, the course catalog is available online for easy reference.