In 2014, with the passage of House Bill 5, lawmakers and school districts worked together to provide students in Texas with a variety of choices in the courses they could take to help prepare for college and careers. The new Texas Foundation with Endorsement High School Program plans replaced a previous plan, known as the 4x4.
This new plan requires 26 credits for graduation and includes at least one endorsement. Most students will graduate on this plan. The 26 credits include English I, II, and III plus one advanced English class; algebra I, geometry and two advanced math classes; biology and three advanced science classes; U.S. history, U.S. government and economics, plus either world geography or world history; one fine arts class; one physical education class; two languages other than English or two computer programming classes; and seven electives.
The electives may be used with the courses a student selects to earn their endorsement. Districts can also add local requirements.
One of the main intents of House Bill 5 was to increase the number of students taking coherent sequences of courses, especially in Career and Technical Education. For far too long students were placed in CTE courses as an afterthought, or as it fit in the student’s schedule.
Now, we take a much closer look at how to ensure that students are getting the chance to gain a greater depth of knowledge in a subject matter of choice and passion, rather than surface level knowledge in many different areas. These are called Programs of Study. The POS designates in which area a student may be earning an endorsement.
Rockdale’s graduating class, the Class of 2021, entered as freshmen on the Foundation with Endorsement graduation plan and have not only earned endorsements, but have focused on their Programs of Studies. With the help of teachers, CTE faculty, counselors, principals and district staff, this class is soaring to new heights.
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