Source: PISD

Upcoming Parent Information Meetings & Elective Fairs:

• Turner College & Career High School: February 13th; PTA General Meeting, BBQ Fundraiser & Parent Workshop Sessions (6:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.) from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
• Pearland High School: February 24th; Parent Information & Elective Fair from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Dawson High School: February 27th; Parent Information & Elective Fair from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Texas Legislature has changed high school graduation requirements for students who will enter 9th grade during the 2014-2015 school year. The change in graduation requirements allows more flexibility for high school students to pursue either higher education or a career pathway. The Texas Legislature has created one graduation plan called the Foundation High School Program (FHSP) or Foundation Plan. In addition to the Foundation Plan, students will have the opportunity to earn Endorsements, Distinguished Achievement and Performance Acknowledgements.

What is the new graduation plan?

The Foundation Plan replaces the previous Minimum, Recommended and Distinguished plans offered to students as options for graduation, and is the plan under which students entering high school during the 2014 – 2015 school year will graduate. Students who were enrolled in grades 9-11 prior to the 2014 – 2015 school year have the option to graduate under the Foundation Plan if they so elect. The Foundation Plan expands the availability of career and technology (CTE) courses, and encourages students to select a personal pathway of study, called an Endorsement. All students entering the 9th grade in 2014 will be required to select an endorsement pathway.

The Foundation Plan:

The Foundation Plan requires a total of 22 credits:

• 4 English Language Arts
• 3 Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, and advanced math)
• 3 Social Studies (World Geography or World History, U.S. History, Government & Economics)
• 3 Science (Biology and 2 additional sciences – IPC or advanced)
• 2 Languages other than English
• 1 Fine Arts
• 1 Physical Education
• 5 Electives

New Graduation Requirements:

Students must successfully complete their coursework and pass all required end-of-course exams to earn their high school diploma. Graduation under the Foundation Plan with endorsements totals 26 credits. To be considered for the Top 10 % rule, students must graduate with an endorsement and successfully complete Algebra 2.

What is an Endorsement?

The Foundation Plan offers students the choice of an endorsement, or targeted area of study, much like a student would pick a major in college. These new options offer a student the ability to earn a total of 26 total credits (a combination of core requirements and endorsement electives) in a targeted area of study for high school graduation. The five options for students when selecting an endorsement are:

• Arts and Humanities
• Business and Industry
• Public Service
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math)
• Multidisciplinary

Students entering 9th grade in the 2014 – 2015 school year will select, in writing, an endorsement as part of their high school graduation plan. The student and his/her parent will be advised of the benefits of the plan. Endorsements can be changed at any time and written parent consent and a parent meeting are required when a student elects to graduate on the Foundation Plan without endorsements. Student and parent meetings are held during the student’s 9th grade school year.

Additional Pearland ISD Graduation Information:

• Pearland ISD Graduation Plan
• Student & Family Graduation Planner
• Pearland ISD High School Four Year Plan with Endorsements
• Curricular Endorsement Pathways
• Earning an Endorsement through CTE Pathways

For more information, please contact your campus counselor.

Original Page: http://www.pearlandisd.org/departments.cfm?subpage=61240

Thanks to our friends as Silvercreek Tribune for sharing