GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduating Class of		2005 & Beyond
Program		Rec	DAP*
English		4	4
Mathematics (Rec & DAP must include Alg 1, Formal Geom, Alg 2)		3	3
World Geography		1	1
World History		1	1
U.S. History		1	1
Government		0.5	0.5
Economics		0.5	0.5
Foreign Language (must be same language)		2	3
Health or Health Science Tech (1 credit)		0.5	0.5
Science		3**	3**
Physical Ed/Foundations**** (can substitute drill team, marching band, athletics, cooperative education)		1.5	1.5
Technology Applications (BCIS, Comp Science)		1	1
Keyboarding		0.5	0.5
Fine Arts		1	1
Speech		0.5	0.5
Electives (class of 2004 & Beyond must take 0.5 credits of Freshman Focus)		4	3
Total		25	25

 

* See further requirements for the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) . * BEGINNING WITH FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2004-2005 STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE AN EXEMPTION FROM A CAMPUS LEVEL COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO GRADUATE ON MINIMUM PLAN. * * Three credits selected from four specified areas as follows (no more than one credit may be chosen from each of the four areas): Integrated Physics & Chemistry**Biology or AP Biology**Chemistry or APChemistry**Physics, Principles of Technology I or AP Physics. Students are encouraged to take Biology, Chemistry and Physics. . *** Two credits must be Biology and Integrated Physics & Chemistry. Friendswood High School requires a third year (Principles of Technology) in order to adequately prepare students for TAKS exam. If the student chooses to skip I.P.C., then three credits of Biology, Chemistry and Physics must be taken. **** All students are required to take 1-1/2 credits of Physical Education. A medical excuse does not constitute a waiver of physical education requirements. (Students may be classified for physical education on the basis of health or disability as unrestricted, restricted and adapted or remedial instruction as per Chapter 75. 151 of the State of Texas Education Code.) Students may substitute certain physical activities for the 1-1/2 required units of physical education. No more than two credits of P.E. may be counted toward the minimum high school requirements.

 

Physical Education Waiver: A student who is enrolled in a state and district approved private or commercially-sponsored physical activity program whose primary purpose is to train students in Olympic-level capabilities may receive up to two units of physical education credit towards state graduation requirements. The following provisions shall apply: 1. Program approval shall be for a three year period unless revoked earlier. 2. Students shall participate in the activity program for a minimum of 80 clock hours for each one-half unit of credit awarded. 3. Students participating in the programs shall miss no more than one period during the regular school day. 4. Olympic activities normally considered shall include gymnastics, swimming, diving and figure skating. The student's individual program must have school board approval and authenticity or the program must be verified as well as the student's attendance.

 

NEW EARLY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS GRADUATING ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 New legislation was passed this spring that discontinued the old program for students graduating on or after September 1, 2003 but created new opportunities for students who graduate early and/or graduate with a significant number of college hours. To qualify for Early Graduation awards, the student must: Graduate from a public high school in Texas on or after September 1, 2003; Complete the recommended or distinguished high school curriculum; Be a Texas resident; Have attended high school in Texas only; Have written permission from a parent or legal guardian to graduate early (if completing grades 9-12 in 41 continuous months or fewer); and Complete grades 9-12 in either fewer than 36 continuous months or more than 36, but fewer than 41 continuous months. To qualify for a College Hours bonus, the student must: Be eligible for a 36 month early graduation award and graduate high school with at least 15 college hours; or Be eligible for a 41 month early graduation award and graduate high school with at least 30 college hours; or Meet all the requirements for an Early Graduation award, but graduate in more than 41 but fewer than 46 continuous months with at least 30 college hours. The funds received through any of these provisions may be used to pay tuition and mandatory fees while attending a public or independent institution of higher education in Texas. If the student attends an independent institution, the state funds are only available if the college agrees to match the state award.

Value of the Awards NUMBER OF CONTINUOUS MONTHS TO COMPLETE HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 9-12)  EARLY GRADUATION AWARD  COLLEGE HOUR BONUS* <= 36 months  $2,000  $1,000 for 15 hours  36 through 41 months $500  $1,000 for 30 hours  42 through 46 months  $0  $1,000 for 30 hours  As indicated above, an eligible student who graduated within 36 months could receive $2000 for early graduation. If he/she ALSO had 15 hours of college credit when he/she graduated, the student would get an additional $1000. This same type of combination can occur at all three levels of graduation. If the student graduated early, but without the requisite number of college hours, he/she would only receive the Early Graduation Award. *Articulated courses and AP courses will not count as college credit until the student has enrolled in college. It is then the student's responsibility to have their transcript evaluated by the college to determine which courses will be accepted as college credit. A parent is entitled to have a child who graduates earlier than the child would normally graduate participate in graduation ceremonies at the time the child graduates, if the child completes each course required for graduation. Education Code 26.003 (a) (3) (C), (4) (See EIED (LEGAL)), EMC-(LEGAL)