Counselor Implications HB 5
OVERVIEW
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Beginning 2014-2015, the Commissioner has adopted a plan to replace the MHSP,
RHSP & DAP with the Foundation High School Program which consists of 22 credits
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Counselors will advise students to select an Endorsement, which consists of 26 credits.
Endorsements are in the following areas: Public Services, Business & Industry,
Multidisciplinary Studies, Arts and Humanities or STEM.
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Students who are in the 9th, 10th or 11th grade this year (2013-2014 school year)
must be given an option to graduate MHSP, RHSP, DAP or Foundation High School
Program
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4th year Seniors may graduate foundation plan in Spring 2014 ONLY (See
Commissioner’s Rules)
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Counselors will have to identify graduation programs for each student until our current
graduation programs are phased out
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In 2014-2015, upon entering 9th grade, students must indicate in writing an
endorsement selection. This can be satisfied via a personal graduation plan (PGP)
which must be signed by both the parent & student
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A district must permit a student to choose, AT ANY TIME, to earn an endorsement other
than the endorsement that a student previously indicated
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Upon counselor verification of student endorsement amendment, NOTICE must be sent
to the parent/guardian
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A student may elect to Graduate WITHOUT an endorsement only if after the student’s
10th grade year, the student & parent are advised of the benefits of graduating from
H.S. with an endorsement AND the parent files with the counselor, written
permission allowing student to graduate Foundation only
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Speech is NOT a course requirement, instead student must demonstrate proficiency in
various skills, as determined by the ISD
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In LOTE, Comp Sci is an option and in certain circumstances, a student who is
unlikely to complete 2nd credit may substitute a different language or other TEA
approved course
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ISD High School Counselors annually, must articulate the advantages of earning
endorsements, performance acknowledgements, distinguished levels of
achievement and postsecondary education to both students and parents
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Distinguished Achievement is earned by completing: 4 credits in math including
Alg II, 4 credits in Science and curriculum requirements for the foundation plan and at
least one endorsement
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For top 10% college admission rule, a student MUST earn a distinguished level of
achievement
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Performance Acknowledgements are earned for outstanding performance in: Dual
Credit, Bilingualism/Biliteracy, AP or IB exams or on the PSAT, ACT-PLAN, SAT/ ACT
and/or for earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry license
or certificate
COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSES
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Effective 2013-2014, if a student is determined UNLIKELY to pass an EOC at the end of
the 11th gr, the ISD must enroll the student in a college prep course
PGP’s
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All High School Students entering 9th grade must have a universal PGP, documenting
their Endorsement and that is reviewed with each student AND their parent/guardian.
This document must be signed by the student and parent before the end of the
school year
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Students who are AT RISK of completing high school within the fifth year of study or of
whom have failed a state assessment must have a PGP on file, which documents
interventions
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PGP’s must be transferrable electronically via TREX
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Eduphoria/DMAC offering template to assist with HB 5 Endorsement/Graduation
Planning & course selection. ESC Region 13 also serves as a great resource
DISTRICT SELF-EVALUATION
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Self-Evaluation Toolkit (local evaluation requirement) Each district & campus will be
assigned a rating of exemplary, recognized, acceptable or unacceptable by a local
committee. Community Engagement Component = 3 important factors pertaining to
counselors: community & parental involvement and dropout prevention strategies
also 21st century workforce development program
TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY - PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
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The Texas Education Code states that: A school counselor’s role is to fully develop
students academic, career, personal/social abilities to serve ALL students
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School Counselors have 8 main Responsibility Domains. Some of which include:
Program Management, Individual Counseling, Group Guidance, Consultation &
Coordination
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For H.S. Counselors, the Recommended Percentages for a School Counseling
Program should include AT LEAST 25-35% in individual planning and 15-25% in
the guidance curriculum