Graduation Requirements

Foundation High School Program

The Texas graduation plan called the Foundation High School Program is a flexible graduation program that allows students to pursue a program of study specific to the their individual goals for life after high school.

The Program contains up to four parts:

• A 22-credit foundation plan which is the core of the Texas high school diploma program
• Five endorsement options that allow students to focus on a related series of courses that require 4 additional credits
• A higher performance category called Distinguished Level of Achievement
• Performance Acknowledgements that note outstanding achievement in specific areas

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the requirements for the Foundation Program with Endorsement? 26 high school credits are required for the FHSP plus Endorsement. These credits are comprised of the following state and local requirements. * Denotes STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment Level II Proficiency requirement

State Requirements: 24 ½ credits

• English (4 credits) o English I*, English II*, English III, and Advanced English course
• Math (3 credits + 1 math credit to fulfill Endorsement) o Algebra I*, Geometry, Advanced Math course, and Additional Math course
• Science (3 credits + 1 science credit to fulfill Endorsement) o Biology*, Lab-based Science (e.g. Integrated Physics & Chemistry, Chemistry, or Physics), Advanced Science course, and Additional Science course
• Social Studies (3 credits) o World Geography or World History, U.S. History*, U.S. Government (½ credit), and Economics (½ credit)
• Languages Other Than English (LOTE: 2 credits in the same language)
• Physical Education (1 credit)
• Fine Arts (1 credit)
• Electives (5 ½ credits)

Local Requirements: 1 ½ credits

• Health (½ credit) (May be fulfilled by taking Principles of Health Science, 1 credit) Note: A student who takes Principles of Health Science to satisfy the health graduation requirement must also take an additional ½ credit of CTE or Technology Applications
• Career & Technical Education (CTE) or Technology Applications (equivalent of 1 credit)

2. Is Speech required under the Foundation Plan with Endorsement?

No. A specific speech course is not required in the Foundation Plan; however, a student must demonstrate proficiency in developing, delivering, and evaluating communication skills in personal and professional presentations. Completion of any English III course fulfills the state’s speech proficiency requirements.

3. What is an “endorsement”?

An endorsement is a series of related courses in one of the following areas listed below. A student entering 9^th grade must select one endorsement area he or she intends to pursue, and the student may change or add an endorsement at any time. A student may graduate without earning an endorsement if, after his or her sophomore year, the student’s parent signs a form permitting the student to omit the endorsement requirement.

• Arts and Humanities: Art, Dance, Music, or Theatre; Languages other than English (LOTE); and Social Studies
• Business and Industry: Agriculture; Architecture and Construction; Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communication; Business and Management Administration; Finance; Hospitality and Tourism; Manufacturing; Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
• Multidisciplinary Studies: Advanced courses from one or multiple Endorsement areas that prepare a student to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary education without remediation
• Public Services: Education and Training; Health Science; Human Services; Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Computer Science; Mathematics; Science; or CTE STEM Pathway

4. How does a student earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement?

A student may earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement by completing the Foundation Program with Endorsement, including four math credits and four science credits, and at least one endorsement. Algebra II must be one of the math credits. The Distinguished Level of Achievement must be earned to be admitted to a Texas public university under the Top 10 percent automatic admission law.

5. What is a Performance Acknowledgement?

A student may earn a Performance Acknowledgement on his or her transcript for outstanding performance in one or more of the following to measure his/her progress toward readiness for college and the workplace:

• ACT Aspire™ college readiness benchmark scores on at least two of the four subject tests; ACT^® Composite Score of 28 (excluding the writing subscore); SAT^® scores of at least 410 on the evidenced-based reading section and 520 on the mathematics section; OR PSAT/NMSQT^® score that qualifies student for recognition as a commended scholar or higher by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP), or the National Achievement Scholarship Program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
• Advanced Placement^® (AP^®) exam score of 3 or higher
• Bilingualism & Biliteracy – successfully completing all English language arts requirements with a minimum GPA of 80 on a scale of 100 AND one of the following: (1) AP^® LOTE exam score of 3 or higher, (2) three credits in same language with a minimum GPA of 80 on a scale of 100, OR (3) a minimum GPA of 80 on a scale of 100 in a Level IV LOTE course
• Dual Credit – successfully completing at least 12 hours of college academic courses, including dual credit and advanced technical credit courses, with a grade of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0
• Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or government-required credential to practice a profession

EARLY GRADUATION OR ENDORSEMENT OPT-OUT REQUEST

Early Graduation Request: A student may graduate under the Foundation High School Program in less than 4 years, typically in 3 or 3 ½ years, if the student has passed all required EOC assessments, met all graduation course requirements, and submitted the request to the school counselor by the end of the student’s sophomore year. Contact the school counselor for more information.

Endorsement Opt-Out Request: A student may graduate under the Foundation High School Program without earning an endorsement if, after the student’s sophomore year, the student and the student’s parent/guardian are notified of the benefits of graduating with an endorsement and the student’s parent/guardian gives written permission for the student to opt out of an endorsement. Contact the school counselor for more information.