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GRADUATION PROGRAM OPTIONS
To accommodate the diversity of educational goals of its students, and provide them an opportunity to pursue a more rigorous course of study, the district offers the graduation programs described below.
RECOMMENDED PROGRAM
The Recommended Graduation Program meets the requirements for the state’s Recommended Program Seal. The Recommended Program includes a specific core of required courses that provide a well-balanced, rigorous academic program with elective courses options. The Elective Courses Component selections will be made by the student based upon individual needs, interests, and/or aptitudes.
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
The purpose of the Distinguished Achievement Program is to recognize students who have performed at a level clearly beyond that expected of high school students. In addition to the course requirements, students must complete four advanced measures that focus on performance at the college or professional level.
RISD GRADUATES MUST COMPLETE THE RECOMMENDED PROGRAM OR THE DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM BEGINNING IN 2004-2005 AND THEREAFTER
Students entering the ninth grade in the 2004-2005 school year and thereafter, are required to enroll in courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements identified by the State Board for the Recommended Program Seal or the Distinguished Achievement Program Seal unless the student, the student’s parent/guardian, and the student’s counselor (or principal designee) agree that the student should be permitted to complete the High School Program or another individualized graduation program.
RISD REGULAR PROGRAM
The Regular Program offers students a more flexible academic program. The plan includes a core of required courses that provide students a well-balanced academic program with some choice in content areas. The Elective Courses Component selections will be made by the student based upon individual needs, interests and/or aptitudes. For students entering the ninth grade in the 2004-2005 school year and thereafter, the student’s parent/guardian, and the student’s counselor (or principal designee) must agree and sign appropriate documentation permitting the student to complete the Regular Graduation Program.
Distinguished Achievement Program - Students entering 9th GRADE prior to 2007-2008 (NO CHANGES FOR THE 2009 – 2010 School Year)
ACADEMIC CORE COMPONENTS
All course requirements may be satisfied through successful completion of regular, Pre-AP, honors, and/or AP courses. No course substitutions are allowed in the Distinguished Achievement Program.
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Unit Equivalent |
ENGLISH |
4.0 |
1.0 unit in English 1, 1.0 unit in English 2
1.0 unit in English 3, 1.0 unit in English 4 |
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MATHEMATICS |
3.0 |
1.0 unit in Algebra 1, 1.0 unit in Geometry,
1.0 unit in Algebra 2 |
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SCIENCE |
3.0 |
1.0 unit in Biology and not more than 1.0 unit may be chosen from each of the three areas: Integrated Physics and Chemistry; Chemistry; or Physics (2.0 units) |
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SOCIAL STUDIES |
4.0 |
1.0 unit in World Geography, and 1.0 unit in World History,
1.0 unit in U.S. History, .5 unit in U.S. Government,
.5 unit in Economics |
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HEALTH - .5 unit of Health |
.5 |
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SPEECH |
.5 |
.5 unit in Communications Applications |
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FINE ARTS - 1.0 unit of Fine Arts |
1.0 |
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION - 1.5 units in Physical Education |
1.5 |
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TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS |
1.0 |
1.0 unit in Technology Applications (selections from state-approved [Part A] Technology Application courses only) |
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LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH (LOTE) - 3.0 units in the same LOTE |
3.0 |
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ELECTIVE COURSES COMPONENT |
2.5 |
Elective selections may be made from all state-approved courses and may include a .5 unit in Physical Education. Elective course choices will reflect the student's individual needs, interests, and/or aptitudes. |
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TOTAL UNITS OF CREDIT |
24.0 |
ADVANCED MEASURE REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the course requirements, to earn the Distinguished Achievement Seal, students must complete four advanced measures. Students may choose any combination from the following list to meet the advanced measures requirement:
- Earn a score of 3 or above on a College Board AP exam (each exam can count as one measure).
- A score on the PSAT that qualifies a student for recognition as a Commended Scholar, or higher; as part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program; or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program (may count as only one advanced measure).
- A grade of 80 (3.0) or higher on academic college courses that count for college credit.
- Complete original research or project judged by a panel of professionals in the field that is the focus of the project; or conducted under the direction of mentor(s), reported to an appropriate audience, and related to the required curriculum set forth in §74.1 of the Texas Administrative Code (relating to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). A student may have a maximum of two research/projects which count as one of the four measures.
Recommended Program - ONLY for senior students graduating 2009 – 2010 who entered ninth grade prior to 2007 - 2008
ACADEMIC CORE COMPONENTS
All course requirements may be satisfied through successful completion of regular, Pre-AP, honors, and/or AP courses. No course substitutions are allowed in the Recommended Program.
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Unit Equivalent |
ENGLISH |
4.0 |
1.0 unit in English 1, 1.0 unit in English 2,
1.0 unit in English 3, 1.0 unit in English 4 |
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MATHEMATICS |
3.0 |
1.0 unit in Algebra 1, 1.0 unit in Geometry,
1.0 unit in Algebra 2 |
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SCIENCE |
3.0 |
1.0 unit in Biology and not more than 1.0 units may be chosen from each of the three areas: Integrated Physics and Chemistry; Chemistry; or Physics (2 units). |
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SOCIAL STUDIES |
4.0 |
1.0 unit in World Geography, and 1.0 unit in World History,
1.0 unit in U.S. History, and .5 unit in U.S. Government, .5 unit in Economics |
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HEALTH - (2009 – 10 Only) |
0 |
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SPEECH - |
.5 |
.5 unit in Communication Applications |
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FINE ARTS - 1.0 unit of Fine Arts |
1.0 |
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION - 1.0 units in Physical Education (2009 – 10 Only) |
1.0 |
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TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS (2009 – 10 Only) |
0 |
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LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH (LOTE) |
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2.0 units in the same LOTE |
2.0 |
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ELECTIVE COURSES COMPONENT |
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Elective selections may be made from all state-approved courses and may include a .5 unit in Physical Education. Elective course choice will reflect the student's individual needs, interests, and/or aptitudes. |
5.5 |
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TOTAL UNITS OF CREDIT |
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24.0 |
SPECIAL NOTE: The District recommends that senior students NOT make changes to their graduation plans from the 2009 – 2010 school year. A student who drops classes no longer required under the Recommended Program will not be eligible to graduate under the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP). Dropping classes also could cause a delay in the student’s graduation in the event a student needed to move from the Recommended to the High School Program. In addition, parents and students should carefully consider the effects of any changes to the student’s classes on college applications as many colleges require specific courses as a part of the admissions process. However, the District recognizes that some students and parents may determine that changes do serve the student’s best interests. If a student and his or her parents request changes for the 2009-2010 school year, the following guidelines will apply:
- Students shall maintain any pre-enrollment schedules already planned;
- Parent authorization for change is required before schedule changes will be made;
- A request to change courses (drop or add) at college-style registration will be considered on a space-available basis provided the student still is on track to earn a minimum of 24 credits to graduate;
- A later request to change classes during the normal schedule change window requires campus principal and parent advance approval.
- A student must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 class periods daily of instruction each semester;
- If a student drops health, PE, or tech apps to enroll in any class in which quality points normally could be earned, the student WILL NOT earn quality points for purposes of GPA calculation for the 2009 – 2010 school year.
- A student who is classified as a senior during the 2009 – 2010 school year but who entered ninth grade in 2007 – 2008 or after must see his or her counselor because different graduation requirements will apply
RISD HIGH SCHOOL Program - Students entering 9th grade prior to 2007-2008 (No changes for the 2009 – 2010 School Year)
ACADEMIC CORE COMPONENTS
All course requirements may be satisfied through successful completion of regular, Pre-AP, honors, and/or AP courses.
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Unit Equivalent |
ENGLISH |
4.0 |
1.0 unit in English 1, 1.0 unit in English 2,
1.0 unit in English 3, 1.0 unit in English 4 |
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MATHEMATICS |
3.0 |
1.0 unit in Algebra 1 required, and 1.0 unit in Geometry required, and 1.0 unit in Algebra 2 or an additional 1.0 math unit* |
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SCIENCE |
3.0 |
1.0 unit in Biology required and 1.0 units in Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC), and 1.0 additional science unit in any state-approved science course(s).* (Student is urged to take 1.0 unit of IPC or if student doesn't take IPC, then student must take Chemistry and Physics in addition to the required 1.0 unit of Biology to complete 3.0 unit requirement.) |
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SOCIAL STUDIES* |
3.0 |
1.0 unit in World Geography and 1.0 unit in World History, 1.0 unit in U.S. History, .5 unit in U.S. Government, .5 unit in Economics |
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HEALTH - .5 unit of Health |
.5 |
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SPEECH |
.5 |
.5 unit in Communication Applications* |
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FINE ARTS or ADDITIONAL SPEECH |
1.0 |
1.0 unit of Fine Arts* and/or additional state-approved Speech* |
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION
1.5 units in Physical Education* |
1.5 |
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TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS |
1.0 |
1.0 unit in Technology Applications (selections from state-approved [Part A] Technology Application courses only)* |
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LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH (LOTE) or TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS and ELECTIVE |
2.0 |
2.0 units in LOTE* or 1.0 additional Technology Applications* and 1.0 additional state-approved elective |
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ELECTIVE COURSES COMPONENT* |
3.5 |
Elective selections may be made from all state-approved courses and may include a .5 unit in Physical Education.* Elective course choice will reflect the student's individual needs, interests, and/or aptitudes. |
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TOTAL UNITS OF CREDIT |
24.0 |
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