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Graduation Requirements
for Texas Students
Beginning with the incoming freshman class of 2007–08, high school students that pursue the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program must earn 26 course credits to graduate, including four credits each in math, science, social studies, and English language arts.
Students can take the 22-credit Minimum High School Program only if approved by their parent(s) or guardian and a school official.
Students must pass their classes as well as all four sections of the exit level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) in order to receive a diploma and graduate from a Texas public high school.
Students first take the exit level TAKS in the spring of their junior year.
The exit level TAKS includes math, science, social studies, and English language arts. These tests are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, which are the curriculum standards (or broad curriculum requirements) that teachers use every day in the classroom as the basis for instruction.
Students will have five opportunities prior to their graduation to take and pass the four exit level TAKS tests; however, passing these tests in their junior year is preferable.
**Be sure to check with your local district, which may have additional graduation requirements.
Why Go to College?
As you make your plans for the future, continuing your education with either a two-year or four-year college degree is recommended.
Consider These Facts:
• 56 percent of jobs today require some college.
• 80 percent of the jobs projected to grow the fastest over this decade require some education after high school.
• Dropping out of high school or failing to earn
a college degree severely limits a student’s employment options and earning potential.
• A college graduate makes twice as much on average as a student who has only a high school diploma.
• Adults who stay in school longer are more likely to have good health, volunteer in their communities, and exercise their right to vote.
Earnings* over a lifetime with a
college degree:
Professional degree.....................$4.4 million
Master’s degree...........................$2.5 million
Bachelor’s degree........................$2.1 million
Associate’s degree ......................$1.6 million
*Source: US Census Bureau
Distinguished Achievement
26 Credits Required
English Language Arts........................................................4.0
• English I, II, III, & IV
• Immigrant students with limited English proficiency may substitute English I and II for Speakers of Other Languages for English I and II.
Math.................................................................................4.0
• Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and a fourth math course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite
Science..............................................................................4.0
• Biology, Chemistry, and Physics plus an additional lab-based course
Social Studies....................................................................3.5
• World History Studies (1.0),
• World Geography Studies (1.0),
• U.S. History Studies Since Reconstruction (1.0), and
• U.S. Government (0.5)
Economics..........................................................................0.5
Physical Education.............................................................1.5
to include
• Foundations of Personal Fitness (0.5 with a limit of 2.0 credits)
• Can substitute drill team, marching band, cheerleading, JROTC, athletics, Dance I-IV,
approved private programs, or certain career and technology education courses
Languages other than English.............................................3.0
• Any three levels in the same language
Health Education................................................................0.5
or
Health Science Technology (1.0)
Technology Applications.....................................................1.0
Fine Arts...........................................................................1.0
Speech................................................................................0.5
Additional Components (elective courses)...........................2.5
from
• the list of courses approved by the State Board of Education for Grades 9-12
(relating to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills),
• state-approved innovative courses,
• JROTC (1.0 to 4.0 credits), or
• Driver Education (0.5)
TOTAL CREDITS................................................................26.0
**Advanced Measures: Students must complete four advanced measures as designated in
the Distinguished Achievement Program graduation plan.
Recommended Plan
26 Credits Required
English Language Arts.................................................4.0
• English I, II, III, & IV
• Immigrant students with limited English proficiency may substitute English I and II for Speakers of Other Languages
for English I and II.
Math..........................................................................4.0
• Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and a fourth math course
Science.......................................................................4.0
• Biology, Chemistry, and Physics plus an additional lab-based course*
Social Studies.............................................................3.5
• World History Studies (1.0),
• World Geography Studies (1.0),
• U.S. History Studies Since Reconstruction (1.0), and
• U.S. Government (0.5)
Economics...................................................................0.5
Physical Education......................................................1.5
to include
• Foundations of Personal Fitness (0.5 with a limit of 2.0 credits)
• Can substitute drill team, marching band, cheerleading, JROTC, athletics, Dance I-IV, approved private programs, or certain career and technology education courses
Languages other than English......................................2.0
• Any two levels in the same language
Health Education.........................................................0.5
or
Health Science Technology (1.0)
Technology Applications..............................................1.0
Fine Arts....................................................................1.0
Speech.........................................................................0.5
Additional Components (elective courses)....................3.5
from
• the list of courses approved by the State Board of Education for Grades 9-12 (relating to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills),
• state-approved innovative courses,
• JROTC (1.0 to 4.0 credits), or
• Driver Education (0.5)
TOTAL CREDITS.........................................................26.0
*Integrated Physics and Chemistry can satisfy one of the
lab-science requirements through 2011–12.
Minimum Graduation
22 Credits Required
English Language Arts.................................................4.0
• English I, II, & III
• Immigrant students with limited English proficiency may substitute English I and II for Speakers of Other Languages for English I and II.
• Check with counselor for course options to satisfy fourth credit.
Math..........................................................................3.0
• Algebra I, Geometry, and a third math course
Science.......................................................................2.0
• Biology and Integrated Physics & Chemistry (IPC)
Social Studies.............................................................2.5
• World History Studies (1.0), or
• World Geography Studies (1.0),
• U.S. History Studies Since Reconstruction (1.0), and
• U.S. Government (0.5)
Economics...................................................................0.5
Academic Elective........................................................1.0
selected from either
• World History Studies, World Geography Studies, or any science course approved by the State Board of Education
(If substituting Chemistry or Physics for IPC, you must use one of these as academic elective credit here.)
Physical Education......................................................1.5
to include
• Foundations of Personal Fitness (0.5 with a limit of 2.0 credits)
• Can substitute drill team, marching band, cheerleading, JROTC, athletics, Dance I-IV, approved private programs, or certain career and technology education courses
Languages other than English...................................None
Health Education.........................................................0.5
or
Health Science Technology (1.0)
Technology Applications..............................................1.0
Fine Arts ................................................................None
Speech.......................................................................0.5
Additional Components (elective courses)....................5.5
from
• the list of courses approved by the State Board of Education for Grades 9-12 (relating to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills),
• state-approved innovative courses,
• JROTC (1.0 to 4.0 credits), or
• Driver Education (0.5)
TOTAL CREDITS.........................................................22.0
**Graduation under this plan requires the approval of the student’s parents and high school administrator.
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