THE FOUNDATION
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM
House Bill 5
State End-of-Course Testing
Requirements
The following 5 end-of-course (EOC) assessments are
required:
* English I – Reading & Writing (administered as one test)
* English II – Reading & Writing (administered as one test)
* Algebra I
* Biology
* U.S. History
The student must pass each of the five EOC assessments to
meet state graduation requirements.
Foundation High School Program
The Foundation High School Program becomes effective
with the Freshman class of 2014-2015.
Beginning in 9th grade, counselors will meet with
students to develop a Personal Graduation Plan (PGP)
outlining the student’s course of study.
The Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) will be reviewed
each year and must be signed by the parent.
Foundation Options
1. Foundation Program = 22 State credits
Not available option until completion of
Sophomore year
2. Foundation + Endorsement = 26 State credits
3. Distinguished Level of Achievement =
26 State credits
Performance Acknowledgements
Foundation High School Program
Eligible for general admission to institutions of higher education
Foundation Curriculum
Enrichment Curriculum
English Language Arts (4 credits)
- English I
- English II
- English III
- Advanced English Course
Physical Education
- One credit
- Some exceptions*
Mathematics (3 Credits)
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Advanced Mathematics Course
Science ( 3 Credits)
- Biology
- IPC or Advanced Science Course
- Advanced Science Course
Social Studies (3 Credits)
- U.S. History
- U.S. Government (1/2 credit)
- Economics (1/2 credit)
- World Geography, or World History, or
Combined World Geography/World History
Languages Other Than English
- Two credits in the same language
- Substitution for computer programming
languages**
- Some exceptions*
Fine Arts
- One Credit
Electives
-Speech
-4.5 Credits
Total: 22 Credits
Course has a required EOC assessment
*Some exceptions
**Computer Science I, II, or III
Endorsements
A student may earn an endorsement
by successfully completing 26 state
credits which include:
• The curriculum requirements for
the endorsement
• Four credits in mathematics
• Four credits in science
• Two additional state elective
credits
The FHSP + Endorsement
ENGLISH
MATH
English I
(EOC)
Algebra I
(EOC)
English II
(EOC)
SCIENCE
SOCIAL
STUDIES
Biology (EOC) World Geo or
World History
ELECTIVE
Geometry
IPC or Chem
or Physics
Other
Electives 2.5
English III
Adv. Math
Adv. Science
Adv. English
Endorsement Endorsement
Math
Science
(4th Math)
(4th Science)
4.0
4.0
4.0
OTHER
REQUIRED
Language
Other Than
English 2.0
US History
Physical
(EOC)
Education
1.0
Government/ Fine Arts 1.0
Economics
Speech 0.5
Endorsement
Specific
Electives
4.0
3.0
4.0
7.0
Endorsement Requirements
When students complete their personal
graduation plan they will indicate which
endorsement he/she intends to earn.
Students will be allowed to
change their endorsement
during each of their
high school years.
Endorsements
• An endorsement requires a focused study in one
or more area/s of student interest. There are
many benefits to earning an endorsement,
including:
* Richer student engagement, and
* Better preparation for the student in
continuing their education beyond high
school and/or entering the workforce.
Endorsement
Options
All five Endorsement
options approved by
the state are available
in HCISD.
Within four of the five
endorsement areas,
students may select
either a Career &
Technical (CTE) or NonCareer and Technical
(Non-CTE) pathway.
HCISD Endorsement Options
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math (STEM) Endorsement includes courses
directly related to:
Science, including Environmental Science
Technology, including Computer Science
Engineering and Advanced Mathematics
STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
STEM requires completion of Algebra II, Chemistry, and Physics.
The STEM endorsement includes courses of study related to:
* Advanced science courses beyond Chemistry and Physics; or
* Advanced math courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite; or
* A cross-disciplinary study of advanced math and advanced science; or
* Computer Science / Computer Programming
A STEM endorsement requires a progressive sequence of 4 credits in at least
one of the bulleted courses of study.
HCISD Endorsement Options
The Business & Industry Endorsement allows students to
take courses directly related to:
Information Technology,
Database Management,
Communications,
Accounting, Finance,
Marketing, Graphic Design,
Architecture, Construction,
Welding, Logistics,
Automotive Technology,
or Agricultural Science
A Business & Industry endorsement in the areas mentioned requires a progressive sequence of 4
credits in at least one of the courses of study.
Business & Industry
The Business & Industry endorsement may also be earned
through the completion of four (4) English electives, including:
* Three (3) levels in one field of journalism
- Newspaper; or
- Yearbook; or
* Three (3) levels in either
- Debate; or
- Oral Interpretation
A Business & Industry endorsement in the areas mentioned requires a
progressive sequence of 3 levels in at least one of the courses of study, plus
one additional English course.
HCISD Endorsement Options
The Public Services Endorsement includes courses directly related
to:
Education and Training, Government and Public
Administration, Health Sciences, Human Services, Law, Public
Safety, Corrections & Security, JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer
Training Corps)
A Public Services endorsement requires a progressive sequence of 4 credits in at least one of the
courses of study.
HCISD Endorsement Options
The Arts and Humanities endorsement may be earned through
completion of at least one of the following:
Political Science,
World Language,
Cultural Studies,
English Literature,
History or Fine Arts
HCISD Endorsement Options
The Multidisciplinary Endorsement may be earned by
completing:
Advanced CTE courses that prepare a student to
enter the workforce successfully
or
Advanced courses from each
of the four subject areas sufficient
to complete the distinguished
level of achievement under the
foundation program
Distinguished Level of
Achievement
26 credits
A student may earn a Distinguished Level of
Achievement by successfully completing:
Four credits in mathematics,
which must include Algebra II
Four credits in Science
Completion of curriculum
requirements for at least one
endorsement.
Distinguished Level of
Achievement
Students must earn a Distinguished
Level of Achievement (DLA) in order to
be eligible for Top 10% Automatic
Admission to public institutions of
higher education in the state of Texas.
Performance
Acknowledgments
For outstanding performance
• In 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
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Texas Education Website
Contact your
High School Counselor