Graduation Requirements ::

For the Ninth Grade Classes of 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 
(Graduating Classes of 2009 and 2010)

A student entering Grade 9 in the 2004-2005 school year and thereafter shall enroll in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements for the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement High School Program.  No student will be permitted to take courses under the Minimum High School Program without parent/guardian and administrative approval.
 

Discipline

Recommended High School Program

Distinguished Achievement Program

 English

Language Arts

 

 Four credits:

•    English I, II, III, and IV

•    English I and II for Speakers of Other Languages may be substituted for English I and II only for immigrant students with limited English proficiency.

 

 Four credits:

•   English I, II, III, and IV

•   English I and II for Speakers of Other Languages may be substituted for English I and II only for immigrant students with limited English proficiency.

 Mathematics

 

 Three credits:

•    Algebra I

•    Geometry

•    Algebra II

 

 Three credits:

•   Algebra I

•   Geometry

•   Algebra II

 Science

 

 Three credits:

•    One biology credit (Biology, AP Biology, or IB Biology) 

•     Must choose the remaining two credits from the

      following areas. Not more than one credit may

      be chosen from each of the areas to satisfy this

      requirement.

•    Integrated Physics and Chemistry

•    Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry

•    Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics, or IB Physics

Students are encouraged to take courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.

 Three credits:

•    One biology credit (Biology, AP Biology, or IB Biology) 

•     Must choose the remaining two credits from the

      following areas. Not more than one credit may

      be chosen from each of the areas to satisfy this

      requirement.

•    Integrated Physics and Chemistry

•    Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry

•    Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics, or IB Physics

Students are encouraged to take courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.

 

 Social Studies

 

 Three and one-half credits:

•    World Geography Studies

•    World History Studies

•    U.S. History Studies since Reconstruction

•    U.S. Government

 

 Three and one-half credits:

•   World Geography Studies

•   World History Studies

•   U.S. History Studies since Reconstruction

•   U.S. Government

 Economics

 

 One-half credit

 One-half credit

 Physical

Education

 

 

 One and one-half credits:

•    Foundations of Personal Fitness (one-half credit) 

•    Physical Education ( one credit)

 

Can substitute:

•    Drill team, marching band, or

     cheerleading during fall semester

•    JROTC

•    Athletics

•    Dance I-IV

•    Approved private programs

•    Certain career and technology education courses

•    Approved off-campus physical education

 

A student may not earn more than two credits in physical education toward state graduation requirements.

 

 One and one-half credits:

•    Foundations of Personal Fitness (one-half credit) 

•    Physical Education ( one credit)

 

Can substitute:

•    Drill team, marching band, or

      cheerleading during fall semester

•    JROTC,

•    Athletics,

•    Dance I-IV,

•    Approved private programs

•    Certain career and technology education courses

•    Approved off-campus physical education

 

A student may not earn more than two credits in physical education toward state graduation requirements.

 

 Languages

Other Than

English

 

 Two credits:

Must consist of two levels in the same language.

 Three credits:

Must consist of three levels in the same language.

 

 

Health Education

 

One-half credit:

•    Health (one-half credit)

•    Health Science Technology (one credit)

One-half credit:

•    Health (one-half credit)

•    Health Science Technology (one credit)

 Technology

Applications

 

 One credit:

•    Computer Science I, Computer Science II, Desktop Publishing, Digital  Graphics/Animation, Multimedia, Video Technology, Web Mastering, Independent Study in Technology Applications, or state approved technology applications innovative courses

 

•    Business Computer Information Systems I or II, Business Computer Programming, Telecommunications and Networking, or Business Image Management and Multimedia

 

•    Computer Applications, Technology Systems (modular computer laboratory-based), Communications Graphics (modular computer laboratory-based), or Computer Multimedia and Animation Technology

 

•    The completion of three credits (for students participating in a coherent sequence of career and technology courses or who are enrolled in a Tech Prep high school plan of  study) consisting of two or more state-approved career and technology courses

 

 One credit:

•    Computer  Science I, Computer Science II, Desktop Publishing, Digital Graphics/ Animation, Multimedia, Video Technology, Web Mastering, Independent Study in Technology Applications, or state-approved technology applications innovative courses

 

•    Business Computer Information Systems I or II,  Business Computer Programming, Telecommunications and Networking, or Business Image Management and Multimedia

 

•    Computer Applications, Technology Systems (modular computer laboratory-based), Communications Graphics (modular computer laboratory-based), or Computer Multimedia and Animation Technology

 

•    The completion of three credits (for students participating in a coherent sequence of career and technology courses or who are enrolled in a Tech Prep high school plan of study) consisting of two or more state-approved career and technology courses

 Fine Arts

 One credit:

•    A state approved Fine Arts courses

 One credit:

•    A state approved Fine Arts courses

 

 Speech

 One-half credit:

•    Communication Applications

 

 One-half credit:

•    Communication Applications

 Program
Credits
Excluding
Electives

 

20.5

 

 21.5

 Additional

Components

(Elective

Courses)

 

 Three and one-half credits:

•    State approved courses

•    State approved innovative courses

•    JROTC (one to four credits)

•    Driver Education (one-half credit)

 

 Two and one-half credits:

•    State approved courses

•    State approved innovative courses

•    JROTC (one to four credits)

•    Driver Education (one-half credit)

 

 Additional
Elective credits
per GISD
Policy

Four credits:

•    Approved state and local courses

 

 Four credits:

•    Approved state and local courses

 

 

 

*Completion of Advanced Measures

 Total Program
and Elective
Credits

 

28

 

28

College Board Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses may be substituted for courses required in appropriate areas in all high school graduation programs. College Board Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses my be used as electives in all high school graduation programs.

*Distinguished Achievement Program requirements also include student achievement of four advanced measures.  See for the Ninth Grade Class of 2004-2005 (Graduating Class of 2008) requirements for a complete description of advanced measures.
 
Graduation Planner for the Ninth Grade Classes of 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 (Graduating Classes of 2009 and 20010)  (pdf)

 

Curriculum and Instruction Department
Georgetown Independent School District
603 Lakeway Drive
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-5012