1. © North East Independent School District, 2014 High School Graduation Requirements First time 9th-grade students in 2014-2015 and thereafter

2. © North East Independent School District, 2014 State Board of Education approved the graduation requirements on Jan. 31, 2014 To graduate, students must: – Satisfy testing requirements – Satisfy academic program requirements – Demonstrate proficiency in specified communication skills (determined by local school district) Graduation Requirements for Students First Enrolled in grade 9 in 2014-2015 and thereafter

3. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Testing Requirements: End-of-Course (EOC) Exams First time ninth-grade students entering high school in 2011-2012 and thereafter must pass five exams to graduate: – English I – English II – Biology – Algebra I – U.S. History

4. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Graduation Requirements for Students First Enrolled in grade 9 in 2014-2015 and thereafter Foundation High School Program with options for: – Endorsements – Distinguished Level of Achievement – Performance Acknowledgements

5. Foundation High School Program 22 credits Multidisciplinary Studies STEM Business & Industry Public Services Arts & Humanities Required for consideration for automatic admission to Texas public universities Required for graduation along with passing 5 EOC exams Graduation Requirements for Students Entering High School in 2014-2015 and thereafter

6. English Language Arts (4 credits) English I English II English III Advanced English Course Physical Education (1 credit) P.E. Courses or Approved P.E. substitutions Mathematics (3 credits) Algebra I Geometry Advanced Mathematics Course Languages Other Than English (2 credits) Two credits in the same language* Two credits in computer programming languages* selected from Computer Science I, II and III Approved substitutions Science (3 credits) Biology IPC, Chemistry, or Physics Advanced Science Course Fine Arts (1 credit) Social Studies (3 credits) World Geography or World History U.S. History U.S. Government (0.5 credit) Economics (0.5 credit) Electives (5 credits) 0.5 Health Total: 22 credits Foundation High School Program 6 *At this time, foreign languages are preferred by colleges/universities. English Language Arts (4 credits) English I English II English III Advanced English Course Mathematics (3 credits) Algebra I Geometry Advanced Mathematics Course Science (3 credits) Biology IPC, Chemistry, or Physics Advanced Science Course Social Studies (3 credits) World Geography or World History U.S. History U.S. Government (0.5 credit) Economics (0.5 credit) Physical Education (1 credit) P.E. Courses or Approved P.E. substitutions Languages Other Than English (2 credits) Two credits in the same language* Two credits in computer programming languages* selected from Computer Science I, II and III Approved substitutions Fine Arts (1 credit) Electives (5 credits) 0.5 Health Total: 22 Credits

7. 7 SAMPLE -- 9TH GRADE COURSE SELECTIONSCredit 1English I1.0 2Algebra I or Geometry1.0 3Biology1.0 4World Geography or World History1.0 5Language Other Than English1.0 6Fine Arts, P.E./P.E. Substitute, Elective1.0 7 Endorsement Course/Elective (See “Freshman Options for Endorsements”) 1.0

8. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Foundation with an Endorsement Students may earn an endorsement by successfully completing: – curriculum requirements for the endorsement; – four credits in math; – four credits in science; and – two additional elective credits Foundation High School Program + Endorsement = 26 credits

9. English Language Arts (4 credits) English I English II English III Advanced English Course Physical Education (1 credit) P.E. Courses or Approved P.E. substitutions Mathematics (4 credits) Algebra I Geometry 2 Advanced Mathematics Course Languages Other Than English (2 credits) Two credits in the same language* Two credits in computer programming languages* selected from Computer Science I, II and III Approved substitutions Science (4 credits) Biology IPC, Chemistry, or Physics 2 Advanced Science Courses Fine Arts (1 credit) Social Studies (3 credits) World Geography or World History U.S. History U.S. Government (0.5 credit) Economics (0.5 credit) Electives (7 credits) 0.5 Health Total: 26 credits with the completion of at least one endorsement Foundation High School Program With Endorsement(s) 9 Mathematics (4 credits) Algebra I Geometry 2 Advanced Mathematics Course Science (4 credits) Biology IPC or Advanced Science Course 2 Advanced Science Courses Total: 26 Credits All endorsements require specific courses in these eight areas, and the number of required credits may change by endorsement area. *At this time, foreign languages are preferred by colleges/universities. Electives (7 credits) 0.5 Health

10. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Types of Endorsements Multidisciplinary Studies STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Business and Industry Public Services Arts and Humanities Each endorsement includes a complete list of courses that students can choose from to fulfill endorsement requirements – NEISD will offer courses under all endorsements, but specific course offerings may vary from school to school

11. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Distinguished Level of Achievement Students may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing: – four credits in math, which must include Algebra II; – four credits in science; – remaining requirements of the Foundation High School Program; and – requirements of at least one endorsement Distinguished Level of Achievement = 26 credits Students must earn Distinguished Level of Achievement to be eligible for Top 10% Automatic Admission

12. Foundation High School Program Distinguished Level of Achievement English Language Arts (4 credits) English I English II English III Advanced English Course Physical Education (1 credit) P.E. Courses or Approved P.E. substitutions Mathematics (4 credits) Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Advanced Mathematics Course Languages Other Than English (2 credits) Two credits in the same language* Two credits in computer programming languages* selected from Computer Science I, II and III Approved substitutions Science (4 credits) Biology IPC, Chemistry, or Physics 2 Advanced Science Courses Fine Arts (1 credit) Social Studies (3 credits) World Geography or World History U.S. History U.S. Government (0.5 credit) Economics (0.5 credit) Electives (7 credits) 0.5 Health Total: 26 credits including the completion of one endorsement 12 Mathematics (4 credits) Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Advanced Mathematics Course All endorsements require specific courses in these eight areas, and the number of required credits may change by endorsement area. *At this time, foreign languages are preferred by colleges/universities.

13. Foundation High School Program 22 credits Graduation Requirements for Students Entering High School in 2014-2015 and thereafter Expectation for all incoming 9th- grade students

14. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Performance Acknowledgements Dual credit: 12+ hours with grades of 80 or higher Bilingualism and biliteracy (specific requirements apply) AP Exam (score of 3 or higher) PSAT, Aspire, SAT, or the ACT (based on specific cut points) Business or industry certification or license (based on exam performance)

15. Next Steps for Students and Parents Complete choice slips for ninth-grade classes 15 SAMPLE -- 9TH GRADE COURSE SELECTIONSCredit 1English I1.0 2Algebra I or Geometry1.0 3Biology1.0 4World Geography or World History1.0 5Language Other Than English1.0 6Fine Arts, P.E./P.E. Substitute, Elective1.0 7 Endorsement Course/Elective (See “Freshman Options for Endorsements”) 1.0

16. © North East Independent School District, 2014 For More Information Refer to the Four Year Plan Sample and Freshman Options for Endorsements document Submit your question(s) to be included in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document Contact your counselor Visit www.neisd.net/staar for a more detailed video and updateswww.neisd.net/staar 16

17. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Congratulations and Welcome to High School 17

18. © North East Independent School District, 2014 STEM Endorsement STEM includes topics in the areas of: Science Computer science Engineering Math Students pursuing a STEM endorsement must earn credit in Algebra II, chemistry and physics 18

19. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Business and Industry Endorsement Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources Architecture & Construction Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications Business Management & Administration Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics Marketing Information technology Manufacturing Hospitality & Tourism Finance Selective English electives Technology Applications 19 Business and Industry includes topics in the areas of :

20. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Public Services Endorsement Public Services includes topics in the areas of: Education and training Government & Public Administration Health Science Human Services Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security JROTC 20

21. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Arts and Humanities Endorsement Arts and Humanities includes topics in the areas of: Social Studies Languages other than English American Sign Language Fine Arts Selective English electives 21

22. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Multidisciplinary Studies Endorsement Multidisciplinary Studies includes: Advanced courses that prepare students to enter the workforce or postsecondary education Foundation subject areas to include English IV and chemistry and/or physics Advanced Placement courses or dual credit courses 22

23. © North East Independent School District, 2014 Selecting an Endorsement Students must select an endorsement upon entering ninth grade – Endorsement selection will be made with the review of 2014-2015 course selections (May) Students can change their endorsement any time, and written notice will be provided to parents Every high school will offer each endorsement – Specific courses may vary from school to school 23