Graduation Requirements ::

For the Ninth Grade Class of 2007-2008 and Thereafter
(Graduating classes of 2011 and Beyond)
 

  • A student entering Grade 9 in the 2007-2008 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.

(Including Research Writing component)

 

 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.

(Including Research Writing component)

 Mathematics

 

 Four credits:

Three credits:

•   Algebra I

•   Geometry

•   Algebra II

One credit:

•   Math Models (must be taken before Algebra II)

•   Independent Study in Mathematics

•   Precalculus

•   AP Statistics

•   AP Calculus AB

•   AP Calculus BC

•   AP Computer Science

•   Concurrent enrollment in college course

 

 Four credits:

Three credits:

•   Algebra I

•   Geometry

•   Algebra II

One credit for which Algebra II is a Prerequisite(s):

•    Independent Study in Mathematics

•    Precalculus

•    AP Statistics

•    AP Calculus AB

•    AP Calculus BC

•    Concurrent enrollment in college course

 

Science

 

 Four credits:

•    Biology credit (Biology, AP Biology, or IB

      Biology) 

Two credits:

Not more than one credit may be chosen from each of the  following areas to satisfy this requirement:

•    Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC)

•    Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry

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

     IPC cannot be taken as the final or fourth year of science, but must be taken before the senior year of high school.

Fourth Year One credit:

•    Chemistry (if not taken above)

•    AP Chemistry

•    Physics (if not taken above)

•    Principles of Technology I (if not taken above)

•    AP Physics B or C

•    AP Biology

•    Astronomy

•    Aquatic Science

•    Environmental Systems

•    Environmental Science

•    Geology, Meteorology and Oceanography

•    Scientific Research and Design

•    Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems

•    Medical Microbiology

•    Pathophysiology

•    Principles of Technology II

•    Engineering

•    Earth and Space Science

 

 Four credits:

Three credits:

•    Biology (Biology, AP Biology, or IB Biology) 

•    Chemistry (Chemistry, AP Chemistry or IB Chemistry)

•    Physics (Physics, AP Physics, or IB Physics)

One lab-based credit:

•    Earth and Space Science

•    Environmental Systems

•    Aquatic Science

•    Astronomy

•    Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems

•    AP or IB Biology

•    AP or IB Chemistry

•    AP or IB Physics

•    AP Environmental Science

•    IB Environmental Systems

•    Scientific Research and Design

•    Engineering

 

 

 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 course

 One credit:

A state approved Fine Arts course

 

 Speech

 One-half credit:

•    Communication Applications

 

 One-half credit:

•    Communication Applications

 Program Credits
Excluding
Electives

 

 22.5

 

 23.5

 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

 Two credits:

•    Approved state and local courses

 Two 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 - Advanced Measures

 Distinguished Achievement Program requirements also include student achievement of four advanced measures. A student must achieve any combination of four of the following advanced measures.  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. The student may choose from the following:

 Original research/project:

        •       Judged by a panel of professionals in the field that is the focus of the project

        •       Conducted under the direction of mentor(s) and reported to an appropriate audience

        •       Related to the required curriculum (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)

        •       Original research/projects may not be used for more than two of the four advanced measures.

 Test data where a student receives:

        •       A score of three or above on The College Board Advanced Placement examination

        •       A score of four or above on an International Baccalaureate examination

        •       A score on the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) that qualifies a student for recognition as a Commended Scholar or higher by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation; as part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program of The College Board or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding Negro Students of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation 

        •       The PSAT score may count as only one advanced measure regardless of the number of honors received by the student.

College courses:

        •       A grade of 3.0 or higher on college academic courses, advanced technical credit courses, and dual credit courses, including local articulation.

Graduation Planner for the Ninth Grade Class of 2007-2008 and Thereafter (Graduation Classes of 2011 and Beyond)  (pdf)

 

Additional information is also available from secondary guidance counselors at each campus, and from:

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