This document discusses the requirements and guidelines of House Bill 5 regarding graduation plans and endorsements in Texas. It outlines the foundation graduation requirements of 22 credits, including 4 credits of English/Language Arts and Social Studies each, as well as credits in other core subjects and electives. Students can choose endorsements in specific fields that require completion of a coherent sequence of courses within that field. The document provides details on the endorsement options and acceptable course sequences for each one. It also addresses considerations for special student populations and flexibility within the requirements.

1. HB5 – Graduation
Requirements

2. House Bill 5 – The Basics
The Structure The Intent
• Accountability
• Assessment
• Graduation Plans
• The goals:
• the development of a more
diverse workforce
• sending students to the
postsecondary level more
prepared
• The understanding is that each
student’s path to the workforce
is unique

3. House Bill 5 – The Basics
The Structure The Intent
• Accountability
• Assessment
• Graduation Plans
• The goals:
• the development of a more
diverse workforce
• sending students to the
postsecondary level more
prepared
• The understanding is that each
student’s path to the workforce
is unique

4. Foundation Diploma =
speech requirement + 22
foundation credits

5. Parameters to follow
 “…students entering Grade 9 in the 2014-
15 school year and thereafter…”
Endorsements, distinguished level and
performance acknowledgements to be on
students’ transcript and diploma
Students can move to a Foundation only
diploma after their sophomore year with:
 Parent advisement
 Parent signed permission

6. Can current high school students
switch?
• Yes, current high school students can opt for
the new diploma program.
• If they are class of 2014, they may only
receive a Foundation level diploma.
• Students in the classes of 2015, 2016, 2017
must have the option available.
• If done by ARDC, must be documented and
take into consideration what is available.

7. “Speech requirement”
(3) demonstrated proficiency, as determined by the
district in which the student is enrolled, 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.

8. Speech course? The state
says “no”
• Not required for a diploma for Foundation
diploma students
• Districts may opt to add it to their diploma
requirements as a required “Elective” but be
sure that is necessary since it replaces another
elective
• Standards are within English/Language Arts
TEKS (Oral Conventions)
• Be open to many options your district offers.
• *NOTE: Communication Applications (1/2
credit) is on the list of Advanced English
courses – so consider impact in senior year

9. “Speech proficiency”?
• Look for the speech component within the
CTE TEKS
• UIL activities (Extemporaneous Speaking; Oral
Interpretation and Debate; One Act Play)
• Competitions where students must present
information
• FFA
• History Fair/Science Fair
• FBLA
• 4H (or other outside activities)
• HOSA
• Skills USA
• VASE
• Mock Trial
Ju•stT cPreSaPte f ao r GT students (actually all students)
documentation method
for participation!

10. Graduation plans
• Foundation requirements
• Endorsements (4 Math & 4 Science &
pathway credits)
• STEM
• Business and Industry
• Public services
• Arts and Humanities
• Multidisciplinary
• Distinguished (Endorsement with one math
being Algebra II)
• Performance Acknowledgements
Key phrase
to look for:
“one full or
combination
of two half
credits”

11. Start with adjustments, not
additions
When reviewing
diploma
development in
your district, ask
yourself….
WHY?
HOW?
• Why would we add in a
course that the state
doesn’t require?
• How can we add more
courses for more
choices?
• How does the student
benefit in their post-secondary
career from
the courses they are
taking?

12. Foundation
Credits = 22

13. Foundation credits = 22
credits
Basics – 17 credits Electives – 5 credits
• 4 credits ELA/R
• 3 credits of Math
• 3 credits of Science
• 3 credits of Social
Studies
• 1 credit of PE
• 1 credit of Fine Arts
• 2 credits of LOTE (Foreign
Language)
• Core subject areas
credits and LOTE not
used for core
requirements
• Fine Arts/Health/PE
• CTE, Technology
Applications, and
Career Development
• Consider overlap for
Endorsement
requirements

14. Scope and Sequence
ELA/R Social Studies
• English I, II and III
required
• ESOL I and II may
substitute for students
at Intermediate level of
TELPAS
• Fourth credit from one
full/two half credits
from the list of
advanced courses
• SBOE requires at least
one other course to be
offered besides English
IV as advanced
• U.S. History,
Government and
Economics required
• Combo World
Geo/World History
class being
developed
• Cannot split World
History and World
Geography

16. World Geo vs. World History
vs. Both
• Why require both
courses if the state
does not?
• Have the curricular
conversation
• Consider having a
stronger Social
Studies program by
having scaffolded
course completion
which gets students
more opportunities
for performance
acknowledgements.
Possibilities:
• US History then AP or Dual
Credit USH
• World History then AP WH or
AP Euro History or Dual Credit
WH
• AP Human Geography as a
senior course
• Government then AP US Gov or
AP Comparative Gov or Dual
Credit Texas Gov
• Economics then AP or Dual
Credit Microeconomics or
"Hold students accountable to the Macroeconomics
highest standards, provide academic
and social support, and they will rise
to the challenge." AVID Founder Mary
Catherine Swanson

17. Scope and Sequence
Science Math
• Biology required (may
be AP or IB)
• One credit from
Second Science list
• One additional credit
that is one full credit
or two half credits
from Advanced list
• Remember scaffolding
possibilities
• Algebra I and
Geometry
required
• There are two
lists of additional
credit
possibilities
• Prerequisites
affect the order
of courses
Don’t forget CTE options and
Endorsement crossovers!

21. LOTE is now a “core” course
LOTE (Foreign Language) Considerations
• Students must
have two credits
from:
• Same language
• Computer
programming
languages
• Special Topics in
Language and
Culture as the 2nd
course
• ARDC/504 decision –
decision for whole two
credits
• This does not
“downgrade” diploma
• Committee of principal,
parent and LOTE teacher
to determine needs for the
2nd LOTE credit
• Special Topics in Language and
Culture
• World History/World Geo if not
used
• Computer language
• Different language

22. For ARDC to decide
From TEA:
A student, who due to a disability, is unable to complete two
credits in the same language in LOTE, may substitute:
• a combination of two credits from English language arts,
mathematics, science, or social studies;
• two credits in career and technical education or technology
applications
The determination regarding a student's ability to complete the
LOTE credit requirements will be made by:
the student's ARD committee if the student receives special
education services under the TEC, Chapter 29, Subchapter A
or the committee established for the student under Section 504,
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 United States Code (USC), §794)

23. Scope and Sequence
PE Fine Arts
• Any combination of one
half to one credit
• Local district allowable
course that meets criteria
• Athletics/JROTC and
privately sponsored PE
activities which meet
requirements
• Drill team /Band/
Cheerleading according to
local district policy
• “credit may be selected
from the following
courses…”
• Areas of: Art, Dance,
Music, Theatre,
Principles of Floral
Design, Digital Art and
Animation, 3-D
Modeling and
Animation
• Community-based fine
arts programs allowed
w/board approval

24. Other Elective possibilities
• State approved innovative courses
(including AVID courses)
• JROTC – one to four credits – Don’t
forget this is an Endorsement!
• Driver’s education (1/2 credit)

25. Endorseme
nt options
Foundation Diploma +
Endorsement =
speech requirement + 22 foundation
credits + 4 credits

26. Endorsements
• Specified in writing by student when
entering 9th grade
• Must have 4 math and 4 science for any
Endorsement
• Minimum 26 credits (remember your 5
electives help with Endorsement
requirements)
• More than one track before junior year
(does not entitle enrollment over 26 credits)
• May change at any time
• School districts decide the coherent
sequence for Endorsement (must follow
prerequisites)

27. Endorsements
• Remember, “a course completed as part of a
set of the four courses needed to satisfy the
endorsement requirement may also satisfy a
requirement under… [Foundation] including
an elective”
• To earn Endorsement:
• Foundation requirements
• Additional credit in math from list Additional
credit in science from list

30. Scope and Sequence
Multidisciplinary – a must
Three options
• Four advanced courses that allow entry into
workforce or college without remediation from
within one endorsement or among
endorsement areas not in coherent sequence
OR
• Four credits in four foundation subject areas
including English IV and Chemistry and/or
Physics
OR
• Four AP, IB or Dual Credit courses including one
credit in each Foundation subject

31. Scope and Sequence
STEM Business & Industry
Five options
which include
Algebra II,
Chemistry,
and Physics
required for
all
Two options
• Coherent sequence of 3
or more courses for 4 or
more credits with at
least 1 advanced CTE
course in various areas
• 4 English elective
classes (Journalism and
Speech courses)

36. Scope and Sequence
Public services Arts & Humanities
Two options:
• Coherent sequence
of 3 or more
courses for 4 or
more credits with at
least 1 advanced
CTE
• Four courses in
JROTC
Five options:
• 5 Social Studies
courses
• 4 of same LOTE
• 2 levels of LOTE in
two LOTE
• 4 sign language
• Coherent sequence
of fine arts

39. It’s all about the final
course…
When determining what Endorsement(s) a
student has achieved, you will look at the final
course within the coherent sequence as the
determining factor!

40. CTE and Fine Arts –
from nice to have to need
to have
CTE
• Note how many of
the Endorsements
require CTE courses
• Look at CTE Matrix
and Capacity Tool
• What do you have?
Where can you
grow?
Fine Arts
• What advanced
option possibilities
are available for
your district?
• Remember the
alternating year
possibility to make
best use of staffing.

41. Distinguished level
and
Performance
acknowledgements

42. Distinguished Level
Must include:
• Foundation requirements
• 4 credits of Science
• 4 credits of Math
• Requirements for one Endorsement
• Algebra II as one of the 4 Math
credits

43. Performance
Acknowledgements
 Dual credit – 12 hours with
3.0+ or an Associate degree
 AP score 3+ or IB exams
scoring 4+
 Earning a nationally or
internationally recognized
business or industry
certification/license

44. Performance
Acknowledgements
 PSAT, SAT, ACT-PLAN, ACT
 PSAT = commended scholar or higher
 ACT-PLAN = college readiness in two of
four subject areas
 SAT = combined reading and math score
of 1250+
 ACT = composite score of 28 (excluding
writing)

45. Performance
Acknowledgements
 For this, ELL must exit ESL and score AH on
TELPAS
 Bilingualism/Biliteracy – ELAR average of 80+
and one of:
 3 LOTE with GPA of 80+
 Proficiency in Level IV LOTE with GPA of
80+
 3 credits of LOTE with GPA of 80+
 Proficiency shown through:
• 3+ on AP exam in LOTE
• 4+ on IB exam in LOTE
• National assessment of Intermediate
High

46. Building programs
Look at the
Performance
Acknowledge
ments to
consider how
to add some
programs and
courses that
support
students to
achieve
• How many dual credits
courses do you offer?
• How is the curricular
alignment in your LOTE
program?
• Are there SAT/ACT prep
opportunities?
• Can you expand AP
program?

47. SBOE April meeting

48. Personal Graduation Plan updates

49. Personal Graduation Plan updates

50. Personal Graduation Plan updates

51. Personal Graduation Plan updates

52. ESC Region 12 Tools
Planning support guide
• Geared towards graduation plans and
testing decisions
• All questions to help you implement new
diploma plans.
• Categories:
• Master Schedule
• Testing
• Special Populations
• Logistics

53. ESC Region 12 Tools
Timeline with Appendices
• Timeline organized by semesters
• Outlines decisions needing focus at that
time
• Appendices at the back have list of
advanced courses, endorsement options
(from TEA) and prerequisites

54. forward
towards
implementatio
n
Remember the ESC Region
12 HB5 page is updated
regularly.
It is organized by tabs so
you can focus on your needs.
www.esc12.net/hb5
Feel free to contact us with
questions:
Denise Bell dbell@esc12.net
Stephanie Kucera
skucera@esc12.net
Chris Holecek
cholecek@esc12.net
Jeni Janek jjanek@esc12.net