Westside High School -- Graduation Requirements

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
(CLASS OF 2009, 2010 ONLY)
State of Texas Recommended High School Program

CURRICULUM	COURSES
English Language Arts - 4 credits	English 1, 2, 3, 4
Mathematics - 3 credits	Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2**
Science - 3 credits	Biology, and two from the following: Integrated Physics and Chemistry Chemistry or Physics**
Social Studies - 4 credits	World or Human Geography World History US History US Economics/Government
Physical Education - 1.5 credits	Foundation of PE Individual or Team Sports (PE) Athletics Dance, Band, ROTC, etc.
Health - 0.5 credits	Health
Speech - 0.5 credits	Communication Applications
Foreign Language - 2 credits (must be from same language)	Spanish French German Latin American Sign Language Chinese Japanese
Fine Arts - 1 credit	Theater Arts Art Music Dance Band Orchestra Choir
Technology Applications- 1 credit	Check the course catalog to see which courses quality for this credit.
Electives - 3.5 credits
TOTAL CREDITS: 24	If Math and/or Science Credits were received in Middle School, then 3 years of Math and Science must be taken in High School to count for graduation credit**

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
(CLASS OF 2011 AND THEREAFTER)
State of Texas Recommended High School Program

CURRICULUM	COURSES
English Language Arts - 4 credits	English 1, 2, 3, 4
Mathematics - 4 credits	Algebra 1 – required Geometry – required Math Models (optional prep for Algebra 2) Algebra 2 - required Pre Calculus (other math courses available)**
Science - 4 credits	Integrated Physics and Chemistry Biology - required Chemistry Physics (other science courses available)**
Social Studies - 4 credits	World Geography or AP Human Geography World History US History US Economics/Government
Physical Education - 1.5 credits	Foundation of PE Individual or Team Sports (PE) Athletics Dance, Band, ROTC, etc.
Health - 0.5 credits	Health
Speech - 0.5 credits	Communication Applications
Foreign Language - 2 credits (must be from same language)	Spanish French German Latin American Sign Language Chinese Japanese
Fine Arts - 1 credit	Theater Arts Art Music Dance Band Orchestra Choir
Technology Applications- 1 credit	Check the course catalog to see which courses quality for this credit.
Electives - 3.5 credits
TOTAL CREDITS: 26	If Math and/or Science credits were received in Middle School, then 3 years of Math and Science must be taken in High School to count for graduation credit**

OTHER GRADUATION PLANS

Distinguished Achievement Plan

The State of Texas seeks to recognize those students with exceptional achievement in high school. The Distinguished Achievement Program is for those students whose accomplishments are of such caliber as to be acknowledged on a national level. This program requires completing the Recommended 24 Credit Plan (26 Credits for the Class of 2011 and beyond), taking one additional credit in foreign language, and completing four Advanced Measures in any combination.

The measures must focus on demonstrated student performance at the college or professional level.
Student performance on advanced measures must be assessed through an external review process.
A student must achieve any combination of four of the following:

Test Data

A score of 3 or above on The College Board Advanced Placement Examination (may count up to 4 different tests)

A score on the PSAT that qualifies a student for recognition as a Commended Student, or higher, by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in any of their scholarship competitions.

College Courses

A grade of 3.0 (80 average) or higher on courses that count for college credit (may count for up to 4 different courses).

Original Research and/or Project

Judged by a panel of professionals in the field that is the focus of the project (may not be part of a class assignment)

Conducted under the direction of mentor(s) are reported to an appropriate audience.

May not be used for more than two of the four advanced measures.

Core Graduation Plan

All students will be enrolled with anticipation of completion of the Recommended High School Program. Occasionally a situation occurs where a student is unable to meet those requirements. For those students, the minimum graduation plan is available. The chart below shows the Core Graduation Plan with a total of 24 credits.

English – 4 credits	English 1, 2, 3, 4
Mathematics – 3 credits	Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, or Math Models
Science – 3 credits	IPC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Systems
Social Studies – 4 credits	World Geography, World History, US History, Government/Economics
Foreign Language – 1 credit	Spanish, French, German, Latin, American Sign Language, Chinese, Japanese
Physical Education – 1.5 credits	Foundation of PE, Athletics, Dance, Band, ROTC
Health - 0.5 credits
Speech - 0.5 credits
Technology Applications 1 – 1 credit
Electives - 5.5 credits