Printed below is information about the new graduation requirements. Further below (at bottom of this page) is a PDF file containing these new requirements that you can download and print.
PLEASE NOTE that San Augustine High School will hold meetings on
Monday - May 26th at 10:30 am
Tuesday - May 27th at 4:00 pm
Thursday - May 29th at 5:15 pm
to answer questions for parents and students. The same information will be presented at each of these meetings, so there is no need to attend more than one of the meetings. We are holding multiple meetings at different times to provide parents the flexibility to attend one of the meetings. The importance of this meeting cannot be overstated. If you have a student who will be in the 9th or 10th grade next year, you need to attend one of these meetings.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
New High School Graduation Requirements
Beginning with the freshman class of 2014-2015, the state of Texas has adopted new graduation requirements for high school students. The legislation that was enacted is known as "House Bill 5" and there's a good chance that you have already read or heard about it. These new graduation plans are very different than our current graduation plans, and it is very important that our parents and students understand the new requirements and the new opportunities associated with these plans. This page will contain answers to some of the more common questions.
Question: What is the purpose of House Bill 5 and the new graduation requirements?
Answer: The new plan has two main purposes: (1) to reduce the number of end-of-course assessments required for students to graduate, and (2) allow high school students more flexibility to select courses that will meet the individual interests and needs of each student.
Question: When do the new plans go into effect?
Answer: The reduction in the number of end-of-course exams has already gone into effect this year. The new graduation plans go into effect next year, and all new Freshmen entering high school next year will graduate on one of the new plans.
Question: How does this affect students already in high school?
Answer: Students who are already in high school will be allowed to graduate on their current graduation plan, or may switch to one of the new plans. The best course for most of our Juniors and Seniors next year is to continue on their current graduation plans. For many or most of our Sophomores, switching to one of the new plans may be the best option. For that reason, we are asking that all parents of Freshmen and Sophomore students attend one of our information sessions.
Question: Which of the end-of-course tests are no longer required?
Answer: End-of-course tests in Geometry, Algebra II, English II, World History, World Geography, Chemistry, and Physics are no longer required for graduation.
Question: Which end-of-course tests are still required for graduation?
Answer: Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and US History are required for graduation. The Reading and Writing portions of the English I and English II tests have been combined into a single test.
Question: My student did not pass one of the tests that is no longer required. Will he/she need to retest?
Answer: No.
Question: My student did not pass one of the tests that is required. Will he/she need to retest?
Answer: Yes. Opportunities to retest are given each December, each Spring, and each Summer. You may contact the high school office for the exact dates of the next retest opportunity.
Question: What are the new graduation plans?
Answer: All students must earn a Foundation High School Program diploma. In addition, each student must declare an endorsement area when entering high school.
Question: What are the requirements for the Foundation High School Program?
Answer: Students must complete the following coursework:
· English Language Arts, 4 credits, including English I, English II, English III, and an advanced English course.
· Mathematics, 3 credits, including Algebra 1, Geometry, and an advanced Mathematics course.
· Science, 3 credits, including Biology, Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC) or an advanced science, and an additional advanced science.
· Social Studies, 3 credits, including US History, Government (1/2 credit), Economics (1/2 credit), and either World History or World Geography. A new course combining World History and World Geography is currently under development which may also be used to satisfy the third credit.
· Languages Other Than English, 2 credits. Students must complete two credits in the same language to meet this requirement, or must complete two credits in a computer programming language course. At the present time, only Computer Sciences I and Computer Sciences II are approved for this requirement.
· Fine Arts, 1 credit.
· Physical Education, 1 credit.
· Electives, 5 credits. including Health (1/2 credit, SAISD requirement pending board approval) and Professional Communications (1/2 credit, SAISD requirement pending board approval).
Four (4) additional credits must be earned in an Endorsement area, including an additional credit in math (a total of 4) and an additional credit in science (a total of 4). The specific math and science credit is specific to the Endorsement sought by the student.
Question: What is an Endorsement?
Answer: Endorsements are related courses of study that are associated with a particular career field. The new graduation plans have indentified five (5) Endorsement areas, with several courses of study available in each area. The five Endorsement areas are:
1. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This endorsement area is designed for students who wish to pursue degrees in the natural sciences (chemistry, physics, biology, etc.), mathematics, engineering, computer sciences, or similar fields.
2. Public Services. This endorsement includes health science, health occupations, law enforcement, culinary arts, hospitality, and similar fields.
3. Business and Industry. This endorsement includes information technology, database management, marketing, accounting, finance, graphic design, construction, welding, automotive technology, and agriculture.
4. Arts and Humanities. This endorsement includes political science, literature, world languages, cultural studies, history, and fine arts.
5. Multidisciplinary Studies. This endorsement provides students an opportunity to take a variety of courses from the other endorsement areas.
Question: Which endorsements will be offered by San Augustine ISD?
Answer: San Augustine ISD plans to offer courses of study in all five of the endorsement areas.
Question: I have more questions. Where can I get more answers?
San Augustine High School will hold meetings on May 26th at 10:30 am, May 27th at 4:00 pm, and May 29th at 5:15 pm to answer questions for parents and students. Parents of all incoming Freshmen and Sophomore students next year are strongly encouraged to attend one of these meetings. Any other interested parents are invited as well.
The same information will be presented at each of these meetings, so there is no need to attend more than one of the meetings. We are holding multiple meetings at different times to provide parents the flexibility to attend one of the meetings.
The importance of this meeting cannot be overstated. If you have a student who will be in the 9th or 10th grade next year, you need to attend one of these meetings.