House Bill 5
A Brief Overview
Earning a High School Diploma
 The High School Diploma is key to:
 Enrolling in post-secondary school education
 Enlisting in United States military services
 Obtaining employment and career advancement
opportunities
 Accessing higher paying jobs
Why a NEW graduation plan?
 PURPOSE: Plan for graduation that includes
meaningful flexibility to earn a high school
diploma with appropriate and rigorous foundation
courses aligned to endorsement areas for college
and career preparation.
Current Graduation Plans
 Current Graduation plans include:

Minimum High School Program (MHSP)

Recommended High School Program (RHSP)

Distinguished Achievement Plan (DAP)*
*For top 10% college admission rule (7% University of Texas),
a student MUST earn a Distinguished Level of Achievement.
New Graduation Plans
 Beginning 2014-2015:
The
Commissioner of Education
adopted a plan to replace the
MHSP, RHSP & DAP
New Graduation Plans
 The new plans include:
 The
Foundation High School Program
(22 credits)
 The Foundation High School Program with
Endorsements
(26 credits)
 The Distinguished Level of Achievement
(26 credits)
New Graduation Plans
 2014-2015 Graduation
Plan Flowchart
AVAILABLE IN SPANISH
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: Foundation
 Physical Education: One credit
 Languages Other Than English (LOTE): Two credits in
the same language (including Computer Science I, II, or
III; Computer Programming Language (coming in 201516)
 Fine Arts: One credit
 Electives: Five credits
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: Foundation
 A specific speech course will not be a requirement under
the Foundation High School Program.
 However, NEW Requirement: to receive a high school
diploma, a student must demonstrate proficiency, as
determined by the district in which the student is enrolled,
in:





delivering clear verbal messages
choosing effective nonverbal behaviors
listening for desired results
applying valid critical-thinking and problem-solving processes
identifying, analyzing, developing, and evaluating communication skills needed
for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group
interactions, and personal and professional presentations
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: Foundation
 Incoming 9th grade students will begin under the
Distinguished Level of Achievement program*
 Current 9th, 10th, or 11th grade students (2013-2014
school year) must be given a choice to graduate
under the MHSP, RHSP, DAP, or Foundation
High School Program.
*Unless otherwise determined by an ARD committee
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: Foundation
 A student may elect to graduate WITHOUT an
endorsement only after the student’s 10th grade
year
 The student & parent must be advised of the
benefits of graduating from high school with an
endorsement, AND the parent files a written
permission allowing the student to graduate
FOUNDATION only
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: Foundation
 Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, a school
district must ensure that each student upon entering
ninth grade indicates, in writing, an endorsement
that the student intends to earn (PGP).
 A district must permit a student to choose, at any
time, to earn an endorsement other than the
endorsement the student previously indicated.
NOTE: the challenge of changing endorsements AND still meeting the requirements of an
endorsement.
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS:
Foundation “Advanced” Courses
 SBOE released a list of courses from which
districts can locally determine the courses they will
offer
 Judson C & I Dept. has met to determine these
courses and a list of Foundation Advanced
Courses will be made available to the campuses
 Content included: English, Science, Math
 CTE “advanced” courses are already identified in
the coherent sequence
Judson ISD Endorsements/Pathways
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: Endorsements
 A student may earn an endorsement by
successfully completing:
 curriculum
requirements for the endorsement
 four credits in mathematics
 four credits in science
 two additional elective credits
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: Endorsements
 A school district defines their advanced courses (from
the approved SBOE list) and determines the coherent
sequence of courses for an endorsement area
(provided that prerequisites are followed).
 A course completed as part of the set of four courses
needed to satisfy an endorsement requirement may
also satisfy a requirement under the foundation high
school program (including an elective requirement).
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: Endorsements
 HB5 language is very specific regarding meeting the
requirements of an endorsement:
 For example - STEM
(A) a coherent sequence of courses for four or more credits in
CTE that consists of at least two courses in the same career
cluster including at least one advanced CTE course . . . . . .
 (B) a coherent sequence of four credits in computer science
selected from the following: . . . . . . . .
 (C) A total of five credits in mathematics by successfully
completing . . . . . .

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS: Endorsements
 For example - Business & Industry
(A)a coherent sequence of courses for four or more credits in CTE
that consists of at least two courses in the same career cluster
including at least one advanced CTE course . . . . .
 four English elective credits by selecting three levels in one of
the following areas: . . . . . . .


four technology applications credits by selecting from the
following: . . . . . . .
In addition to Foundational Level classes, the
following levels of courses are offered:
 GENERAL COURSES
 PRE-AP / AP*
 DUAL CREDIT*
 IB*
 TAG*
*Requires completion of the Challenge
Agreement – student and parent/guardian
signature is required
Pre-AP, AP and IB Courses
 AP/IB courses give students a head start on college
 Taking AP/IB courses can help students gain
college admission; test scores can earn college
credit and placement into advanced courses.
 Grades are weighted and can help improve class
ranking
Dual Credit Courses
 JISD has academic and technical dual credit
partnerships agreements with several postsecondary institutions
 Students earn high school and college credit at the
same time
 A qualifying score on an entrance exam (TSI) must
be met before enrolling in a dual credit course
What is AP?
 AP stands for Advanced Placement
 These are stand-alone classes and tests
 College credit may be granted if a score on the AP
test is high enough
 Content and expectations are directed by the
College Board
 Students can by-pass entry level courses
What is IB?
 Coursework with a global perspective designed to
meet global standards
 Major components include thinking and writing
 Diploma guarantees 24 semester credits at any
Texas state university
 There are IB programs in over 138 countries
Scheduling Recommendation
 All incoming 9th grade students are encouraged to select:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
English I
Biology (Chemistry Pre-AP if Biology credit has been awarded)
World Geography
Algebra I (Geometry Pre-AP if Algebra I credit has been awarded)
Language other than English (Spanish, German or French)
Endorsement (introduction course pathway dependent upon
endorsement selection)
Elective* (athletic and/or general/recommended elective)
Alternate course (in cases where first elective request is not available)
*Elective course is dependent upon successful completion and promotion. Student may be
administratively placed in a remedial and/or support class based on state assessment results.
Other Important HB5 Updates
 Personal Graduation Plans
 Performance Acknowledgements
 State Assessment Requirements
Personal Graduation Plan (PGP)
• Starting in 2014-2015 (by the end of 9th grade) there must be a
high school Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) for EACH student
• PGP must be confirmed and signed by parent/guardian.
• Endorsement must be chosen at entry into 9th grade
Performance Acknowledgements
 A student may earn a performance acknowledgment
(on their transcript):

for outstanding performance . . . .
 a dual
credit course
 in bilingualism and biliteracy
 on an AP test or IB exam
 on the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the ACT

for earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or
industry certification or license
State Assessment Requirements under HB 5
 Five End of Course (EOC) test (subject based)
 Algebra 1
 English I and II
 Biology
 US History
For questions, please contact your campus Professional School Counselor
For information, refer to:
1. JISD Guidance and Counseling
http://www.judsonisd.org/district/instruction/GuidanceAndCounseling/index.cfm
2. Region 20 Service Center http://www.esc20.net/
3. Texas Education Agency http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=25769806149
Thank You!