Graduation Requirements :: Exit Tests

In addition to completing a designated high school graduation program, the State of Texas requires all candidates for high school graduation to demonstrate mastery of basic subjects by passing a series of tests.  The testing requirements for graduation will vary depending on the year a student expects to graduate.  

 

Students Who Will Graduate in the Spring of 2004 and Earlier

Students who are scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2004 and earlier must pass the exit level Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) OR a combination of the Texas End-of-Course Exams.

The exit-level TAAS tests reading, writing, and mathematics skills.  The first time students can take the exit-level TAAS is the spring of 10th grade.  If a student does not pass one or more parts of the test, that part can be retaken whenever the test is offered (spring, summer, and fall of each school year.)

The other way to satisfy the graduation testing requirement is to pass three end-of-course exams.  These must be in Algebra I, English II, and either Biology or U.S. History.  End-of-course exams are given during the two-week period prior to the end of the course, and may be retaken if not passed whenever the exam is offered.  However, the end-of-course tests will not be offered after spring 2002.

Students Who Will Graduate in the Spring of 2005 or Later

Students who will be in the 11th grade in the spring of 2004 or later and who plan to graduate from a Texas public high school in the spring of 2005 or later will be required to pass the English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies sections of a new exit-level test.  The first time the test can be taken is in the spring of 11th grade.  If a student does not pass one or more parts of the test, that part can be retaken whenever the test is offered.

The new exit test will cover material about the following academic subjects:

  • English Language Arts - including at least English III and writing

  • Mathematics - including at least Algebra I and geometry

  • Social Studies - including early American history and U.S. history

  • Science - including at least biology and integrate chemistry and physics

The Texas Education Agency has prepared a brochure for students on the testing requirements for high school graduation.  (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)  They have also prepared a list of answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Graduation Testing Requirements.

Curriculum Department
Georgetown Independent School District
603 Lakeway Drive
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 943-5000