8th grade transition
to High School
Parent Meeting
December 16, 2014
• During the last legislative session, changes
were made to graduation plans and state
assessments through House Bill 5.
• This meeting will help identify the
graduation plan (endorsement) options
available to Klein ISD students so that
parents may help their student select the
best option for their desired academic
pursuit.
9th grade course selection sheet
FOUNDATION PLAN COURSES
GRADUATION PLAN
Academic Discipline
Endorsement
Distinguished*
*Possibly Eligible for top 10% automatic admissions to Texas
public 4-year institutions
Credits
Credits
English
4
4
Math
4
4*
Science
4
4
Social Studies
3
3
Foreign Language
2
2
Fine Arts
1
1
Physical Education
1
1
Electives
7
7
Total Credits for Graduation:
26
26
*must include Algebra 2
Discipline
Revised February 3, 2014
Endorsement Areas
 ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Political science, literature, world languages, cultural studies, history and
fine arts.
 BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Information technology, database management, marketing, accounting,
finance, graphic design, architecture, construction, welding, automotive
technology, agriculture, vet science, culinary arts and hospitality.
 MULTIDISCIPLINARY
This endorsement provides students the opportunity to take a variety of
courses from each of the other four endorsement areas.
 PUBLIC SERVICE
Health science occupations, education, law enforcement, cosmetology,
and JROTC
 STEM
Science, Technology-including computer science, Engineering, and
advanced Math.
FOUNDATION GRADUATION PLAN WITH ENDORSEMENT
Revised February 3, 2014
Typical Freshman Schedule
• English 1
• Algebra 1
(or Geometry if the student took Algebra I in 8th grade)
• Biology
• World Geography
• Elective (PE recommended)
• Elective (Fine Arts recommended)
• Elective (World Language recommended *)
Other Required Coursework
2 years of the same Foreign Language
*Spanish
*French
*German
*Latin
1 year of Fine Arts
*Art
*Band
*Choir
*Dance
*Orchestra
*Theatre Arts (Performing or Production)
Options for meeting PE
requirement
1 year of PE or equivalent
– PE
– Dance (can be PE OR Fine Arts credit)
– Athletics (must try out)
– Cheerleading (S1 only, must try out)
– ROTC (substitution)
– Color Guard (S1 only)
– Marching Band (S1 only, substitution)
Students can earn up to 4 PE/equivalent credits
9th Grade Elective Options--CTE
Semester Courses:
• Touch System Data Entry
• Principles of Business, Marketing, &
Finance
• Money Matters
• Principles of Human Services
• Retailing & E-tailing
• Principles of Law, Public Safety,
Corrections & Security
• Professional Communications
• Principles of Construction (KF only)
• Principles of Manufacturing (KF & KO
only)
Full year Courses:
• Principles of Agriculture, Food &
Natural Resources
•
Business Information Management 1
• Concepts of Engineering &
Architecture
• ROTC
9th Grade Elective Options--Technology
♦ Computer Science 1 (regular or Pre-AP)
♦ Prerequisite is Algebra 1 with a B Average
(Recommended)
♦ Fundamental Computer Science (grades 9-12)
♦ Game Program Design (grades 9-12)
♦ Mobile Application Development (grades 9-12)
♦ Robotics Program Design (grades 9-12)
♦ Web Design (grades 9-12)
Requirements to Graduate:
• Earn the 26 required state credits
•Complete one of the Endorsement
Plans
• Pass all 5 EOC tests
End of Course (EOC) Tests:
• Algebra 1
• English 1
• English 2
• Biology
• US History
A Day In the Life at High School
o
o
o
o
o
7:25 am - 2:30 pm
7 periods each day *
50 minute classes
5-6 minute passing time
Each student assigned a counselor & principal
according to last name
*KOHS has Panther Den 3 x a week (T, Th, Fri)
Sample High School Report Card
Course Name
English I PreAP
MkPd1
Gr Con
96 E
MkPd2
Gr Con
100 E
MkPd3
Gr Con
99 E
Sem
Exam
94
Sem
Avg
98
Credits
Earned
.5
Geometry PreAP
89
E
89
E
94
E
86
90
.5
Biology I PreAP
95
E
97
E
96
E
96
96
.5
Spanish I
97
E
96
E
97
E
96
97
.5
Art I
96
E
100 E
99
E
93
97
.5
Var Band
96
E
98
96
E
100
97
.5
E
Total of 3.5 credits earned for this report card.
Semester Grades Are Based on :
Three Six Weeks Grades & the Semester Exam
First
Six Weeks
= 28%
Second
Six Weeks
= 28%
Third
Six Weeks
= 28%
Semester Exam
= 16%
Each semester stands ALONE! The first and second
semesters are not averaged together for a passing grade.
Your High School Transcript
• It is your scorecard!
• Starts with 9th grade
• The high school classes you take in middle school
go on your transcript, but do not effect your GPA.
• It is how colleges will evaluate you.
• It is the official record of:
• GPA (grade point average)
• credits earned
Begin with the End in Mind
• What is your career interest? (8th graders
completed an interest inventory on the
Career Cruising site prior to Thanksgiving.)
• What Programs of Study and/or specialized
schools of choice will prepare you for your
postsecondary education and/or career
training?
• Which Endorsement will you earn?
• Plan NOW! 
Tips:
Don’t overload 9th grade schedule
• Consider extracurricular activities & commitments
when selecting classes
•We will send course verifications home for your
signature.
• Schedule change deadlines will be honored!
•
No schedule changes after
3:00 p.m., June 11, 2015
Students Entering 9th Grade
Each student selects (in writing)
an endorsement area and creates
th
a Four Year Plan with their 8
grade counselor, Ms. McClay.
As a freshman, students will
meet with their counselor to
finalize these plans.
FOUR YEAR PLAN
Revised February 3, 2014
Plan For The Future
Grade 9
* Attend Freshman Orientation (in August)
* Strive for good grades
* Develop good study habits
* Remember: GPA begins with 9th grade
* Become involved in your school!! 
Online Data Entry in January!!! 
Ms. McClay visited the classes to deliver
course selections and discuss high school
requirements in early December.
Bring back Course Request Form
(Ms. McClay is collecting them before
Christmas break: December 17 due date!!)
Review online at home with parent on the
Career Cruising website (January)
FAQ
• For more information please visit:
KISD website:
http://www.kleinisd.net/users/CTE/page.html
Endorsement Information videos:
http://ipsi.utexas.edu/hb5-videos-2/
Career Cruising website:
http://public.careercruising.com/us/en