GRADUATION PLANS & REQUIREMENTS
The graduation requirements in the Graham Independent School District are based on Texas Education Agency requirements for graduation and polices established by the Graham ISD’s Board of Trustees
To meet their individual needs, Graham Independent School District students will have the option of choosing one of the graduation plans offered by the district
Students will be advised of courses recommended for college preparation and will be kept informed of changing entry requirements and career trends Parents/guardians should be consulted if major changes occur
All students at Graham High School are on the endorsement, or distinguished level of achievement graduation plan unless, through a decision-making process involving the student, parents, and designated school personnel, it is decided that the foundation plan is best for the student
Graduation requirements under the EOC/STAAR are as follows:
Five End of Course tests for high school students graduating on the Foundation Plan include: Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology and US History.
An “advanced” score will indicate college readiness
Satisfactory performance standards set by the state of Texas will be phased in
Students and parents will be able to access results through a data portal
If a student does not achieve the minimum score on an EOC assessment, the student shall retake the assessment
A student is not required to retake a course as a condition of retaking an EOC assessment
A school district shall provide accelerated instruction to each student who fails to perform satisfactorily on an EOC assessment
In addition to meeting level II on any EOC, students must complete the requirements of one of the graduation plans shown below in order to receive a high school diploma
2023-2024 GRADUATION PLANS
Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, a school district must ensure that each student, on entering ninth grade, indicates in writing an endorsement that the student intends to earn
A district must permit a student to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement other than the endorsement the student previously indicated
FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM INCLUDING ENDORSEMENTS **
Discipline Foundation Credits Foundation + Endorsement Credits Distinguished Credits
English 4 4
Mathematics 3 4 Includes Algebra II
Science 3 4
Social Studies 3 3
Foreign Languages 2 2
Fine Arts 1 1
Physical Education 1 1
Electives 5 3
Endorsement Electives n/a 4
Total Credits for Graduation 22 26 26
Foundation Plan
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 or guardian are advised by a school counselor of the specific benefits of graduating from high school with one or more endorsements; and
The student’s parent or guardian files with a school counselor written permission, on a form adopted by the district, allowing the student to graduate under the foundation high school program without earning an endorsement.
To receive a high school diploma a student must demonstrate proficiency in delivering clear verbal messages; choosing effective nonverbal behaviors; listening for desired results; applying valid critical-thinking and problem-solving processes; and identifying, analyzing, developing, and evaluating communication skills needed for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group interactions, and personal and professional presentations. This expectation is met within the student’s enrolled English Language Arts course.
Endorsements
A student may earn an endorsement by successfully completing the foundation plan curriculum requirements, plus the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement to include: Four credits in mathematics, four credits in science, two additional elective credits in the endorsement area.
Click here for more information regarding Endorsement Areas
1. STEM - A student may earn a STEM endorsement by completing foundation and general endorsement requirements including Algebra II, chemistry, and physics STEM includes courses directly related to:
Science, including environmental science
Engineering
Advanced Math
2. Business and Industry - Includes courses directly related to:
Agricultural, Food, & Natural Resources
Architecture & Construction
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications
Business Management & Administration
Hospitality & Tourism
Marketing
Finance
3. Public Service - Includes courses directly related to:
Education and Training
Health Sciences and Occupations
Human Services
4. Arts and Humanities - Includes courses directly related to:
Political science
English literature
World languages
History
Cultural studies
Fine arts
5. Multidisciplinary Studies - A student may earn a multidisciplinary studies endorsement by completing foundation and general endorsement requirements and:
Four advanced courses that prepare a student to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary education without remediation from within one endorsement area or among endorsement areas that are not in a coherent sequence
Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English IV and chemistry and/or physics
Four credits in College Board AP courses or dual credit selected from English, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, languages other than English, or fine arts
Distinguished Level of Achievement
A Student may earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement by successfully completing:
The foundation plan curriculum requirements, plus
The curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement, including
Four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra II, plus
Four credits in science
A student must earn the distinguished level of achievement to be eligible for top 10% automatic admission.
Performance Acknowledgment
A student may earn a Performance Acknowledgment for outstanding performance in:
A dual credit course or advanced technical course by earning:
12 hrs. with 3.0 or higher, or
An associates degree
Bilingualism and bi-literacy by 80 or higher in ELA plus 3 credits in a Language Other Than English (LOTE), or 80 or higher on 4th year of LOTE, or 3 or higher on AP LOTE exam (For Bi-lingual, the student must have exited from the ESL program and scored Advanced High on the TELPAS)
AP Exam with a score of 3 or higher, or
PSAT/NMSQT Commendation
SAT score of 1310 or higher on Critical Reading + Math, or
ACT composite score of 28 or higher without writing
A TEA recognized business or industry certification or license