ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL // LOWERY FRESHMAN CENTER WHERE EAGLES SOAR Planning Your High School Years & Beyond Graduation Plan Overview Requirements Enhancements Distinguished Level of Achievement Performance Acknowledgements Distinguished Level of Achievement Benefits Endorsements Choices Arts & Humanities Business & Industry Public Service, Technology, Engineering, & Math Multidisciplinary Endorsement List Page 1 of 10 Revised 1/18/17
In 2013, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 5 creating a new graduation plan for Texas students the Foundation plus Endorsement High School Program. The program contains up to four parts: A 22-credit foundation program which is the core of the new Texas high school diploma Five endorsement options that allow students to focus on a related series of courses A higher performance category called Distinguished Level of Achievement Performance Acknowledgments that note outstanding achievement The basic Foundation High School Program, including one endorsement, requires the following courses for a total of 26 credits: 4 credits in Language Arts 4 credits in Mathematics 4 credits in 4 credits in 2 credits in Languages other than () (Credits must be in same language) 1 credit in 1 credit in Physical Education 0.5 credit in Health 5.5 credits in electives Foundation High School Program + Endorsements Beginning with the class of 2018, all students must indicate during course selection, an anticipated endorsement choice. The five endorsement options are: Arts and Humanities Business and Industry Multidisciplinary Public Services, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Click on the Endorsement above to see the overview with specific clusters and options within each Endorsement. Graduation Plan Enhancements Additionally, a student may earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement and/or a Performance Acknowledgment for outstanding performance. The Distinguished Level of Achievement must be earned to be admitted to a Texas public university under the Top 10 percent automatic admission law. Distinguished Level of Achievement Students earn Distinguished Level of Achievement by completing the 26 credits consisting of the Foundation High School Program plus an endorsement. Students credits must include I as one of the four math courses, and an advanced as one of the four science courses in order to earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement. Allen ISD is a default Distinguished Level of Achievement District with the goal of all students graduating from Allen High School college and career ready. Endorsement List Page 2 of 10 Revised 1/13/17
Choices determine options Distinguished Level of Achievement Benefits Most of the very best jobs available now and in the future require education and training beyond a high school diploma. Whether you intend to pursue a high-demand, industry workforce credential from a community or technical college or a traditional four-year degree from a university, the choices made in high school will determine your future options. To best prepare yourself now for the transition to post-high school education or quality workforce training, choosing and taking the right classes is essential. The Distinguished Level of Achievement will ensure the best preparation for your future. Why it matters Benefits The Distinguished Level of Achievement opens a world of educational and employment opportunities for you beyond high school. The Distinguished Level of Achievement will: Allow you to compete for Top 10% automatic admissions eligibility at any Texas public university; Position you among those first in line for a TEXAS Grant* to help pay for university tuition and fees; and Ensure you are a more competitive applicant at the most selective colleges and universities. What it means The Distinguished Level of Achievement requires more math and more science than the Foundation High School Program. The Distinguished Level of Achievement requires: A total of four credits in math, including I; A total of four credits in science; and Successful completion of an endorsement in your area of interest. Advantages Opportunity to earn an endorsement in an area of interest More college and university options More financial aid options Better preparation for college-level coursework at community/technical colleges and universities Opportunity for immediate enrollment in classes related to your chosen field of study Strong foundation to successfully complete an industry workforce credential or college degree Endorsement List Page 3 of 10 Revised 1/13/17
Performance Acknowledgements Beginning with the class of 2018, a student may earn a performance acknowledgement on the student s transcript for the following: Outstanding performance in a dual credit course by completing the following: 1) At least twelve (12) hours of college academic courses, including those taken for dual credit as part of the Texas core curriculum, and advanced technical credit courses, including locally articulated courses, with a grade of the equivalent of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0 OR 2) An associate degree while in high school Outstanding performance in bilingualism and bi-literacy by demonstrating proficiency in accordance with local school district grading policy in two or more languages by: 1) completing all language arts requirements and maintaining a minimum grade point average (GPA) of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; AND 2) satisfying one of the following: completion of a minimum of three credits in the same language in a language other than with a minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; OR demonstrated proficiency in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Level IV or higher in a language other than with a minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; OR completion of at least three credits in foundation subject area courses in a language other than with a minimum GPA of 80 on a scale of 100; OR demonstrated proficiency in one or more languages other than through one of the following methods: o a score of 3 or higher on a College Board AP exam for a language other than ; OR o a score of 4 or higher on an IB exam for a higher-level languages other than course; OR o performance on a national assessment of language proficiency in a language other than of at least Intermediate High or its equivalent 3) In addition to meeting the requirements to earn a performance acknowledgment in bilingualism and bi-literacy, an language learner must also have: participated in and met the exit criteria for a bilingual or as a second language (ESL) program; AND scored at the Advanced High level on the Texas Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS). Outstanding performance on a College Board advanced placement test or International Baccalaureate examination by earning: 1) a score of 3 or above on a College Board advanced placement test 2) a score of 4 or above on an International Baccalaureate examination Endorsement List Page 4 of 10 Revised 1/13/17
Outstanding performance on the PSAT, ACT-Plan, SAT or ACT 1) earning a score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT ) that qualifies the student for recognition as a commended scholar or higher by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) of the College Board or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation 2) achieving the college readiness benchmark score on at least two of the four subject tests on the ACT- PLAN examination 3) earning a combined critical reading and mathematics score of at least 1250 on the SAT ; OR 4) earning a composite score on the ACT examination of 28 (excluding the writing subscore) Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license with: 1) performance on an examination or series of examinations sufficient to obtain a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification OR 2) performance on an examination sufficient to obtain a government required credential to practice a profession Note: Nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification shall be defined as an industry validated credential that complies with knowledge and skills standards promulgated by a nationally or internationally recognized business, industry, professional, or government entity representing a particular profession or occupation that is issued by or endorsed by: a national or international business, industry, or professional organization a state agency or other government entity or a state-based industry association Certifications or licensures for performance acknowledgements shall: be age appropriate for high school students represent a student's substantial course of study and/or end-of-program knowledge and skills include an industry recognized examination or series of examinations, an industry validated skill test, or demonstrated proficiency through documented, supervised field experience and represent substantial knowledge and multiple skills needed for successful entry into a highskill occupation Endorsement List Page 5 of 10 Revised 1/13/17
ARTS AND HUMANITIES Endorsement Options Discipline Math Languages other than () PE/Health 1.5 Credits Endorsement Arts & Humanities I II I Arts & Humanities (1 Language) I II I A Year 1 A Year 2 Arts & Humanities 2X2 (2 languages) I II I A Year 1 A Year 2 Arts & Humanities I II I Year 1 A Year 3 B Year 1 Year 2 A Year 4 B Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Electives Electives 4.5 Electives 3.5 Electives 3.5 Electives 2.5 Total 26 Credits 26 Credits 26 Credits 26 Credits For Course Descriptions and Course Level Options see on-line Course Catalog. Click Here for Four (4) year Options by Endorsement and Option Option Total of five (5) social studies courses (1 Language) Option Four levels of the same language in a language other than (Example: 4 years of Spanish (Spanish I, II, III, and IV) American Sign Language Option Four levels of the American Sign Language. Note: Level 1 & 2 of ASL can be used for the 2X2 Option. 2X2 (2 Language) Option Year 1 and 2 from two different languages other than (Example: French Year 1 & Year 2 plus Spanish Year 1 & Year 2) Option A coherent sequence of four credits from one discipline in fine arts (Example: 4 years in band) OR Four credits from two different subjects in fine arts (Example: 2 years of art plus 2 years of orchestra) Allen ISD is a default Distinguished Level of Achievement District. Options are the recommended sequence. Please see your counselor for specific questions and options. Endorsement List Page 6 of 10 Revised 1/13/17
BUSINESS and INDUSTRY Endorsement Options Math Discipline Languages other than () PE/Health 1.5 Credits Endorsement 4 Credit Business & Industry Career and Technical Education (CTE) I II I Business & Industry I II I Business & Industry Combination I II I CTE 1 Level 1 CTE 2 Level 2 CTE 3 Level 3 CTE 4 Elective Electives 1.5 Electives 2.5 Electives 1.5 Total 26 Credits 26 Credits 26 Credits For Course Descriptions and Course Level Options see on-line Course Catalog. Combination 4.0 Click Here for Four (4) year Options by Endorsement and Option CTE Options Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources Architecture & Construction Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications Business Management & Administration Finance Hospitality & Tourism Information Technology Marketing Sales & Services Options Four credits by selecting three levels in one of the following areas: Journalism: Newspaper Journalism: Yearbook Combination Option Coherent sequence of four credits from CTE, or Allen ISD is a default Distinguished Level of Achievement District. Options are the recommended sequence. Please see your counselor for specific questions and options. Endorsement List Page 7 of 10 Revised 1/13/17
Graduation Plans Beginning with the Class of 2018 and Endorsements Overview PUBLIC SERVICES Endorsement Options Math Discipline Public Services Career and Technical Education (CTE) I II I Public Services JROTC I II I Languages other than () PE/Health 1.5 Credits Endorsement CTE 1 JROTC 1 4 Credit CTE 2 JROTC 2 CTE 3 JROTC 3 CTE 4 JROTC 4 Elective Electives 1.5 Electives 1.5 Total 26 Credits 26 Credits For Course Descriptions and Course Level Options see on-line Course Catalog. Click Here for Four (4) year Options by Endorsement and Option CTE Options JROTC Option Education and Training Four credits in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Health (JROTC) Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Allen ISD is a default Distinguished Level of Achievement District. Options are the recommended sequence. Please see your counselor for specific questions and options. Endorsement List Page 8 of 10 Revised 1/13/17
SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING MATH Endorsement Options Discipline Math Languages other than () PE/Health 1.5 Credits Endorsement STEM Engineering (CTE) I II I STEM Computer I II I STEM Mathematics I II I STEM I II I STEM Combination (No More Than 2 Areas) I II I Advanced Math Advanced Combination See Option See Option 3 Credits Chart Chart Electives Electives 1.5 Electives 1.5 Electives 4.5 Electives 4.5 Electives 2.5 Total 26 Credits 26 Credits 26 Credits 26 Credits 26 Credits For Course Descriptions and Course Level Options see on-line Course Catalog. Click Here for Four (4) year Options by Endorsement and Option CTE Engineering Option Coherent sequence of four credits in engineering Computer Option Coherent sequence of four credits with 3 from computer science Mathematics Option A total of five credits in mathematics by successfully completing, geometry, I and two additional mathematics courses for which I is a prerequisite Option A total of five credits in science by successfully completing,,, and two additional science courses Combination Option In addition to I,, and, three additional credits from no more than two of the areas: CTE, Computer, Mathematics, and/or Allen ISD is a default Distinguished Level of Achievement District. Options are the recommended sequence. Please see your counselor for specific questions and options. Endorsement List Page 9 of 10 Revised 1/18/17
Graduation Plans Beginning with the Class of 2018 and Endorsements Overview MULTIDISCIPLINARY Endorsement Options Discipline Math Languages other than () PE/Health 1.5 Credits Endorsement Multidisciplinary Career/Post-Secondary I II I Multidisciplinary Four by Four 4X4 I II I Multidisciplinary AP, IB, Dual Credit Combination I II I Post-Secondary/Workforce 4x4, Math, and Electives Electives 1.5 Electives 5.5 Electives 1.5 to 5.5 Total 26 Credits 26 Credits 26 Credits For Course Descriptions and Course Level Options see on-line Course Catalog. Click Here for Four (4) year Options by Endorsement and Option Career/Post-Secondary Option Four advanced courses that prepare a student to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary education without remediation from within one endorsement area or among endorsement areas that are not in a coherent sequence Four by Four (4x4) Core Combination Option 4x4, Math,, and Must include,, and/or : AP, IB, and/or Dual Credit AP, IB, Dual Credit Combination Option Four credits in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Dual Credit (DC) selected from, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, languages other than, or fine arts. Clarification: Number of electives needed will be determined by grade level/year advanced credit is earned ( i.e. AP, IB, or DC credits are used to fulfil foundation credits, additional electives will be required to meet the 26 credit total required for graduation) Allen ISD is a default Distinguished Level of Achievement District. Options are the recommended sequence. Please see your counselor for specific questions and options. Endorsement List Page 10 of 10 Revised 1/13/17