1. Decatur ISD Graduation Requirements For Incoming 9th Graders in the 2014-15 School Year

2. Legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature that relates to high school graduation: Contains new graduation requirements and expectations for students providing more flexibility for students. Reduces the number of state-end of course assessments required for high school students to graduate What is House Bill 5?

3. What has changed? Old - Minimum - 22 credits, Recommended 4x4 - 26 credits, Distinguished - 26 credits, plus third year of same other language and four advanced measures. New - Foundation - 22 credits, Foundation with Endorsements - 26 credits, 4 credits in coherent sequence, Distinguished Achievement - 26 credits (including Algebra II) and at least one endorsement

4. What plan should my child choose? We are recommending that all students begin on the Distinguished Plan. This plan provides the greatest flexibility for students after graduation. gives students the ability to take specialized electives. insures that students have taken the courses necessary to pass the new Texas Success Initiative college entrance exams.

8. Graduation Requirements Foundation Program + Endorsement - 26 Credits A student may earn an endorsement by completing: curriculum requirements for the endorsement. four credits in mathematics four credits in science Two additional elective credits Electives are chosen from courses particular to one of five endorsement areas: 1. STEM 2. Public Services 3. Business and Industry 4. Arts and Humanities 5. Multidisciplinary Studies

9. STEM Endorsement Courses Directly Related to the Following Fields Required Courses: Algebra II, Chemistry, & Physics Career Cluster: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Includes Courses Directly Related to: STEM Career Cluster or Science or Advanced Math (above Algebra II)

10. Public Service Endorsement Courses Directly Related to the Following Fields Required Courses: Additional Math and Science Career Clusters: Education, Health Science, and Human Services Includes Courses Directly Related to: Public Services CTE Career Clusters or JROTC

11. Business and Industry Endorsement Courses Directly Related to the Following Areas Required Courses: Additional Math and Science Career Clusters: Agriculture, Architecture, Audio/Video Technology, Business, Finance, Hospitality, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Transportation Includes Courses Directly Related to: Business & Industry CTE Career Clusters or Debate or Newspaper or Yearbook

12. Arts and Humanities Endorsement Courses Directly Related to Required Courses: Additional Math and Science Includes Courses Directly Related to: Social Studies or Languages Other Than English (LOTE) or Fine Arts – Art, Dance, Music, & Theatre

13. Multidisciplinary Studies Endorsement The Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement provides students the opportunity to take a variety of courses from each of the focused endorsement areas. Required Courses: Additional Math and Science Includes Courses Directly Related to: Advanced Courses (prepares for workforce or postsecondary education) or 4 x 4 (includes English 4, Chemistry and/or Physics) or Advanced Placement or Dual Credit

14. More on Endorsements... Students entering 9th grade in 2014 must indicate their endorsement area in writing. Students may choose at any time to change their endorsement area and parents must be notified. Students can only choose to graduate without an endorsement: After sophomore year After student and parents have been advised After parents or guardian files written permission

15. Distinguished Level of Achievement Successful completion of 26 credits Foundation program requirements At least 1 endorsement program requirement A local requirement of W. Geography elective for all 9th graders A total of four math credits including Alg. II A total of four science credits Permits additional credits needed to satisfy foundation elective requirements For earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification of license Allows for consideration in the top 10% for automatic admission to a TX Institution of Higher Education

16. Performance Acknowledgement Students may earn PA for: Outstanding Performance in AP Exam PSAT, ACT-PLAN, SAT, ACT Biligualism and Biliteracy Dual Credit Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license PA must be on on transcript and diploma

17. End of Course Assess. Reduces the required EOC exams from 15 to 5 English I (Spring 2014 Read/Writing combined) English II (Spring 2014 Read/Writing combined) Algebra I Biology US History English III, Chemistry, Physics, W, Geography and W. History are gone

18. What’s Next? Counselors will be discussing graduation plans with students. Parents will have to sign the graduation choice of their child prior to beginning 9th grade. We recommend that ALL students be on the Distinguished Achievement graduation plan. Decatur ISD will offer the Multidisciplinary Endorsement, and during the 2014-2015 school year, we will make parents and students aware of any other endorsements that will be added.