Graduation Requirements

State of Texas Graduation Requirements

GISD must provide instruction in the required grades 9-12 curriculum and ensure that students complete the graduation requirements as specified in Texas Administrative Code Chapter 74. 

 Every student who enrolls in Georgetown ISD in grades 9-12 must commit to a four-year graduation plan that outlines the courses the student must successfully complete to meet state and district graduation requirements.  Each year during the registration process for the next school year, students and their parents/guardians will have the opportunity to review their four-year graduation plan course selections to ensure all graduation requirements are met in a timely manner.

 Preparing to successfully transition from high school to continue education and/or to enter the workforce depends on careful planning and making informed decisions. The choices made now will help create options to prepare all students to successfully achieve their goals. One important area to carefully consider is the high school graduation plan. The courses you choose to take each year during high school could impact your options later.

 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

 The State of Texas has established three high school graduation programs:

•  Minimum High School Program*
•  Recommended High School Program
•  Distinguished Achievement Program
   (Advanced High School Program)

 *For students entering the ninth grade in the 2004-2005 school year and thereafter, legislation requires school districts to enroll ALL students in the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program. It further requires students to complete the recommended program to receive a diploma unless administrative and parent/guardian approval is granted for the student to enroll in and complete the minimum program.

 Regardless of the graduation program chosen, all graduates of GISD schools must complete the state-required courses outlined under that program.  In addition to the state requirements, Georgetown High School (GHS) requires additional elective units for a total of 28 units of credit for graduation. The additional units of credit may be earned from either state-approved or local courses. Richarte High School, an alternative high school campus, also requires additional elective credits outlined in the Richarte handbook.

 A student must complete all the requirements in a specified graduation plan, complete the additional GISD required credits, and pass the exit level Texas testing requirements (TAKS) before he/she is awarded a diploma.

 All students will develop a personal four-year graduation plan and will review this plan each year. Students and parents should keep in mind that while a plan is subject to change, it is important to check that all the requirements for the selected graduation program are met when changes are considered.  It is the students and parents responsibilities to ensure that graduation requirements are met.  If you have any questions about courses, registration, state-required exit level exams, or other graduation requirements, please contact a school counselor.

 Out-of-state or out-of-country transfer students (including foreign exchange students) and transfer students from Texas nonpublic schools are eligible to receive Texas diplomas but shall complete all high school graduation requirements as applicable. Any course credits required for graduation that are not completed before enrollment may be satisfied through credit by examination, correspondence courses, distance learning, or completing the course, according to the provisions of 19 TAC 74.

 Occasionally, changes occur in course requirements due to action by the Texas Legislature and/or the Texas State Board of Education.  The counselors will communicate to students any changes in requirements that could impact graduation requirements.  Otherwise, students will graduate with the course requirements in place when entering the ninth grade. The requirements for each of the state graduation plans are outlined in the following charts for each graduating class. 

*  For The Ninth Grade Class of 2004-2005 (Graduating Class of 2008)

*  For The Ninth Grade Class of 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 (Graduating Classes of 2009 and 2010)

* For The Ninth Grade Class of 2007-2008 and Thereafter (Graduating Classes of 2011 and Beyound)

 

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