GEAR UP Houston - Gaining Early Awarness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs

Texas State Graduation Requirements Recommended High School Program

Curriculum
English Language Arts 4 credits	English I, II, III, and IV (I and II may be met within ESOL)
Mathematics 3 credits	Algebra I Geometry Algebra II
Science 3 credits	Biology, and two from the following: Integrated Physics & Chemistry, Chemistry, Physics
Social Studies 3.5 credits	World Geography World History U S History U S Government (0.5)
Economics 0.5 credit	Economics (0.5)
Physical Education 1.5 credits	Foundations of Personal Fitness (0.5) 1.0 additional Health Fitness (May be met by certain PE equivalents)
Health 0.5 credit	Health (0.5) (May be met by Health Science Tech.)
Languages other than English 2.0 credits	Must be in the same language
Fine Arts 1.0 credit	1.0 credit
Speech 0.5 credit	Communication Applications (0.5)
Technology Applications 1.0 credit	1.0 credit
Electives 3.5	3.5 credit
Total = 24 credits

Distinguished Achievement Plan
The State of Texas seeks to recognize those students with exceptional achievement in high school. The Distinguished Achievement Program is for those students whose accomplishments are of such caliber as to be acknowledged on a national level. This program requires completing the Recommended 24 Credit Plan, taking one additional credit in foreign language, and completing four Advanced Measures in any combination.

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.
A student must achieve any combination of four of the following:

1) Test Data

A score of 3 or above on The College Board Advanced Placement Examination (may count up to 4 different tests)

A score on the PSAT that qualifies a student for recognition as a Commended Student, or higher, by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in any of their scholarship competitions

2) College Courses

A grade of 3.0 (80 average) or higher on courses that count for college credit. (may count up to 4 different courses)

3) Original Research and/or Project

Judged by a panel of professionals in the field that is the focus of the project (may not be part of a class assignment)

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

May not be used for more than two of the four advanced measures

Minimum Graduation Plan
All students will be enrolled at Spring Woods High School with anticipation of completion of the Recommended High School Program. Occasionally a situation occurs where a student is unable to meet those requirements. For those students, the minimum graduation plan is available. The chart below shows the differences in the two plans.

RHSP	Minimum Plan
3 math credits, to include Algebra II	2 math credits
Both World Geography and World History	Choice of either course
3 science credits	2 science credits
2 credits in the same foreign language	None
1 credit in fine arts	None
3.5 credits in electives	5.5 credits in elective
	One additional course in science or social studies is required.
Total credits = 24	Total credits = 22

In order for a student's plan to be changed from the Recommended High School Program to the Minimum, the student, parent, and counselor or principal must all sign in agreement.