|
|
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
Discipline |
Recommended High School Program (RHSP) |
Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) |
English |
- Four Credits must consist of:
- English I or English I for Speakers of Other Languages
- English II or English II for Speakers of Other Languages
- English III or AP English Language and Composition
- English IV or AP English Literature and Composition
|
- Four Credits must consist of:
- English I or English I for Speakers of Other Languages
- English II or English II for Speakers of Other Languages
- English III or AP English Language and Composition
- English IV or AP English Literature and Composition
|
Mathematics |
- Four Credits must consist of:
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Algebra II
- The additional credit may be selected from either of the following and must be successfully completed prior to Algebra II:
- Mathematical Models with Applications
- Mathematical Applications in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CTE)
- The fourth credit may be selected from the following after successful completion of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II:
- Pre-calculus or AP Statistics or AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC or AP Computer Science or Independent Study or Engineering Mathematics (CTE)
|
- Four Credits must consist of:
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Algebra II
- An additional course for which Algebra II is prerequisite such as Precalculus or AP Statistics or AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC or AP Computer Science or Independent Study or Engineering Mathematics (CTE)
|
Science |
Four Credits must consist of:
A biology credit (Biology or AP Biology)
A chemistry credit (Chemistry or AP Chemistry)
A physics credit (Physics or AP Physics (B or C) or Principles of Technology I )
The fourth credit must be selected from the following
Astronomy, Aquatic Science, Environmental Science, Earth and Space Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics B or C, and AP Environmental Science
The additional credit may be IPC and must be successfully completed prior to chemistry and physics.
|
Four Credits must consist of:
A biology credit (Biology or AP Biology)
A chemistry credit (Chemistry or AP Chemistry)
A physics credit (Physics or AP Physics (B or C))
The fourth credit must be selected from the following
Astronomy, Aquatic Science, Environmental Science, Earth and Space Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics B or C, and AP Environmental Science
IPC may not be taken to fulfill any of the four credits of science requirements. |
Social Studies |
-
- Three-and one-half credits must consist of:
- World Geography or AP Human Geography (one credit)
- World History or AP World History (one credit)
- US History or AP US History (one credit)
- US Government or AP US Government (one-half credit)
|
-
- Three-and one-half credits must consist of:
- World Geography or AP Human Geography (one credit)
- World History or AP World History (one credit)
- US History or AP US History (one credit)
- US Government or AP US Government (one-half credit)
|
Economics |
-
- One-half credit must consist of:
- Economics or AP Macroeconomics or AP Microeconomics
|
- One-half credit must consist of:
- Economics or AP Macroeconomics or AP Microeconomics
|
Physical Education |
- One credit must consist of:
- Foundations of Personal Fitness
- Adventure/Outdoor Education
- Aerobic Activities
- Team or Individual Sports
|
- One credit must consist of:
- Foundations of Personal Fitness
- Adventure/Outdoor Education
- Aerobic Activities
- Team or Individual Sports
|
Languages Other Than English |
-
- Two Credits must consist of any two levels in the same language. An AP course can also be substituted for each level (must also be the same language).
|
- Three Credits must consist of any three levels in the same language. An AP course can also be substituted for each level (must also be the same language).
|
Speech |
- One-half credit:
- Communication Applications
|
- One-half credit:
- Communication Applications
|
Fine Arts |
- One credit choose one from the followings:
- Art (I,II,III)
- Dance (I,II,III)
- Music (I,II,III)
- Theatre (I,II,III)
- AP Music Theory
- AP Studio Arts
- AP Art History
|
- One credit choose one from the followings:
- Art (I,II,III)
- Dance (I,II,III)
- Music (I,II,III)
- Theatre (I,II,III)
- AP Music Theory
- AP Studio Arts
- AP Art History
|
Elective Courses |
- Five and one-half credits from:
- AP Psychology
- AP European History
- Creative Writing
- Debate
- Journalism
- Multiculturalism
- Psychology
- Photography
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Desktop Publishing
- Digital Graphics
- Multimedia
- Video Technology
- Web Mastering
- BCIS
- AP Computer Science A
- Or any other course approved by Harmony School
|
- Four and one-half credits from:
- AP Psychology
- AP European History
- Creative Writing
- Debate
- Journalism
- Multiculturalism
- Psychology
- Photography
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Desktop Publishing
- Digital Graphics
- Multimedia
- Video Technology
- Web Mastering
- BCIS
- AP Computer Science A
- Or any other course approved by Harmony School
|
Advanced Measures |
|
- A student must receive any combination of four advanced measures.
|
Community Service |
|
|
Senior Capstone Project |
- Successful completion of the Senior
Capstone Project within the English IV
curriculum.
|
- Successful completion of the Senior
Capstone Project within the English IV
curriculum.
|
College Admission |
- Proof of admission by a college is required
|
- Proof of admission by a college is required
|
State Testing |
- All students must pass all four sections of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) Exit level unless they qualify for exemption.
|
**Graduation under this plan requires the approval of the student’s parents and high school administrator.
|
