Personal Graduation Plans & Endorsements

The Foundation High School Program, established by House Bill 5 (HB 5), is the graduation program for Texas students who entered 9th grade beginning with the 2014–2015 school year. The program gives students flexibility to explore their interests and plan a pathway toward graduation, college, career training, and employment.

Personal Graduation Plans (PGPs)

Every student is required to have a 4-Year Personal Graduation Plan (PGP). The PGP serves as an individualized roadmap for high school and outlines the courses and graduation requirements a student plans to complete.

Each student works with their assigned Career Counselor to develop their PGP based on their interests, goals, and graduation requirements. Before entering 9th grade, every student is required to identify an endorsement to include in their PGP. Students and their parents/guardians review and approve the PGP, which can be updated throughout high school as plans and goals change.

Beginning with the Class of 2029, the Multidisciplinary Studies Endorsement is automatically included in every student's PGP when they enter 9th grade. To earn this endorsement, students must complete four credits in each of the four core subject areas (English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies), plus seven elective credits.

Students may also select a program of study and additional endorsement area(s) based on their interests and future goals.

Endorsements

Under the Foundation High School Program, 22 credits is the minimum required for graduation in Texas. Students who earn an endorsement must complete at least 26 credits, including four credits of math, four credits of science, and the required courses for their selected endorsement or program of study.

An endorsement allows students to focus part of their high school coursework in an area of interest. Students may pursue more than one endorsement and may change their selected endorsement or program of study by working with their Career Counselor.

TSD offers a variety of programs of study connected to endorsement areas. Visit the Academies tab to learn more about the endorsement options and programs of study available at TSD. Please refer to the Secondary Program Course Catalog for specific course descriptions and requirements.

Completed endorsements are recorded on the student's official high school transcript.

Opting Out of an Endorsement

After completing their sophomore year, a student may choose to graduate under the Foundation High School Program without an endorsement. Before making this decision, the student and parent/guardian will meet with the student's Career Counselor to review the benefits of earning an endorsement and discuss how opting out may affect the student's graduation plan and future goals.

If the student and parent/guardian decide to opt out, the required Endorsement Opt-Out Agreement must be completed. At TSD, this decision is documented through the student's annual ARD meeting.

Opting out of an endorsement does not remove the requirement to have a Personal Graduation Plan. The student's PGP will be updated to reflect their revised graduation plan.

If you have questions about graduation plans, endorsements, or your student's individual requirements, please contact your assigned Career Counselor.