House Bill 5 and CISD Graduation Requirements
New legislation under House Bill 5 (HB5) will impact several areas in the Texas Education Code. This new law will significantly change the requirements for High School graduation, graduation and planning, and the state testing requirements at all levels.
HB5 is designed to instill more flexibility in public education by enabling students to choose to pursue a traditional path into colleges and universities or to move directly into the workforce, to help fill what business leaders refer to as "a critical skills shortage".
Center High School wants to make this transition as easy and transparent possible; therefore the information provided below will help guide you into a understanding of the new law, the reduction in testing requirements, and what Center ISD requires of each student, to become successful after graduation.
Beginning with students entering the ninth (9th) grade in the 2014-2015 school year (Graduating class of 2018), students will enroll in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program and the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement.
The Foundation Graduation Plan for Center ISD requires students to earn 28 credits in order to graduate in the areas listed below; in addition to scoring a passing score on the five State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness End Of Course (STAAR EOC).
4 - English Language Arts
4 - Mathematics
3 - Social Studies
4 - Science
1 - Fine Arts
2 - Languages Other Than English
½ - Speech
½ - Health
1 - Technology
1 - Physical Education
7 - Electives
In addition, there are five possible areas of endorsements. All students entering 9th grade in the fall of 2014 must select an endorsement.
Areas of endorsement are:
- Arts and Humanities
- Business and Industry
- Public Service
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
- Multidisciplinary Studies
Reminder: Center ISD has set graduation standards at 28 credits, which is above the state's requirement of 22 credits.
RESOURCES:
- Foundation Graduation Plan FAQs
- Endorsements FAQs
- 2015-2016 CISD HB5 Community Engagement Summary
- Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Contact your school principal, counselor and/or teachers for more information.