@4MyKidz Texas high schools can have additional requirements above and beyond what the TEA sets. Our high school has a rule about the number of unweighted classes that that must be taken (a total of 4, 3 must be taken for before senior year) TEA sets the MINIMUM standards. Schools that offer IB programs have much different requirements.
Here are the minimum graduation requirements from our TX school’s 2017-2018 course catalog, please note computer science is not listed as a language for our school.
**Foundation Program + Multidisciplinary Endorsement with the Distinguished Level of Achievement (26 credits) ***
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS – 4 credits English 1, English 2, English 3, English 4
MATHEMATICS – 4 credits Algebra 1 > Geometry > Algebra 2 > PreCalculus or Statistics OR Algebra 1 > Geometry > Math Models > Algebra 2
SCIENCE – 4 credits Biology > Chemistry > Physics > 4th Science** OR Biology > IPC* > Chemistry > Physics IPC is Integrated Physics and Chemistry. IPC credit from middle school is for elective credit, not science credit *Advanced Science: AP Chemistry 2, AP Physics 1&2, AP Physics C, AP Biology 2, AP Environmental Science, Environmental Systems, Earth and Space Science, Astronomy, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Advanced Biotechnology, Robotics 3, Engineering
SOCIAL STUDIES – 4 credits World Geography, World History, U.S. History, Economics (½ credit), Government (½ credit)
WORLD LANGUAGE – 2 credits (in same language) ASL (American Sign Language), Chinese, French, German, Latin, Spanish
P.E. – 1 credit (Athletics, Cheerleading, Dance, Marching Band, PE)
HEALTH – 0.5 credit (Health or Health Science)
FINE ARTS – 1 credit Art, Band, Beginning Guitar, Choir, Color Guard, Dance, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Technical Theatre, Theatre, AP Music Theory, AP Art History
ELECTIVES – 5.5 credits The careful selection and completion of electives (including those in the CTE department) allows a student to earn an endorsement. At **** High school, students are defaulted to the Multidisciplinary Endorsement, which means earning four credits from each core area AND earning credit in at least four AP or dual credit courses OR earning four advanced credits (designated with a ^ on the course number folder). However, students are free to earn additional endorsements in areas of interest. Endorsement criteria are listed on the course number folder given to students during course selection and on the counseling website. In terms of college admissions, the number of endorsements earned is NOT a factor either inside the state of Texas or at colleges around the country.
MANDATORY TEXAS STATE ASSESSMENTS Additionally, students must successfully complete all Texas legislated testing requirements as defined by the Texas Education Agency, which currently includes End-of-Course tests in English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and US History.