HB 5 Proposed Graduation Rules Forum
with Input
FOUNDATION PROGRAM
KEY IDEAS
Allow combination of 2 half-credits
-concern for small districts
-will help small ISD’s IF advanced
measures include some of the .5 credit
courses
Mobility rate – Reality – consistency or
lack of among ISD’s may hurt some
students
Speech – to stay or go away?
RECOMMENDATIONS
Provides flexibility & is possible for
large ISD’s
Local decision
 Advanced Courses
◦ Seems that the intent of HB5 is gone with flexibility – set criteria for
advanced course (TEKS, CCRS)
◦ allow flexibility to encourage innovation at local level
◦ Definition – how do we define advanced?:
 “advanced” might be relative – specifically defined in the
context of the diversity of each student (local definition of the
challenge)
 “Advanced” should be anything beyond the Foundation Plan
requirements
◦ Districts would like as much flexibility as possible – students need
freedom to choose their pathway
◦ Don’t create an unfair advantage for large districts due to availability
of resources
STEM
KEY IDEAS
STEM students will want a mix of
science and math rather than one
pathway
RECOMMENDATIONS
Change “courses” to “credits” (IA)
CATE advanced course be determined
at local level
Lower the number of math courses that
have ALG 2 as a prerequisite. (2 rather
than 3)
Lower 3 “additional sciences” to 2
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY ENDORSEMENTS
KEY IDEAS
Coherent sequence for CTE refers to 4
courses
List of courses to create a coherent
sequence is limiting
RECOMMENDATIONS
Change course to “credit” to provide
flexibility
Courses are too expensive to offer a
variety of courses (can’t offer food,
natural resources, broadcast journalism
and agricultural) small school districts
Algebra II removed to create flexibility
PUBLIC SERVICES
KEY IDEAS
Requirements include:
-Algebra II
-4 CTE courses (coherent sequence)
Is the pathway that currently exists for
CTE going to be used?
Not enough certified teachers to meet
endorsement requirement.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Extension on deadline to allow district
to explore certification issues.
Local control of CTE endorsements and
certifications (allow some level of
flexibility)
ARTS & HUMANITIES
KEY IDEAS
Algebra II
RECOMMENDATIONS
Local decision
o -Substitution – record keeping/tracking is difficult – only allowable in one of
5 endorsements
o -WH & WG – does not allow the combo course – counseling implication &
record keeping
MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
KEY IDEAS
Maintain flexibility
More local control
RECOMMENDATIONS
Eliminate Alg. 2 and add flexibility to
take other advanced Math courses
Include AVID 1-4 as course sequence
(5C) Total of 4 AP to include dual credit
(rather than “each of the four foundation
subjects”
PERFORMANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
KEY IDEAS
GPA standard
RECOMMENDATIONS
Remove GPA standard (no uniformity
with GPA across state)
◦ – data is labor intensive in small district time intensive/mistakes can
be made easily
◦ TEA – possible reporting mechanism with acknowledgments – ex.
ACT data capture
COUNSELING IMPLICATIONS

Must advise students well to guide them carefully on a pathway – quality
advising for college preparedness
COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSE
 Where does this course fit?
◦ Foundation?
◦ Endorsements?
◦ Which advanced course can is sub for?