FOUR-YEAR PLANS

Texas Public High School Graduation Requirements

Foundation High School Program with Endorsements

NBISD NGC August 2017

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High School Graduation Plans

The Foundation High School Program (FHSP) with endorsements became

the default graduation program for all Texas public school students entering

ninth grade beginning with the 2014‒2015 school year.

This graduation program is a flexible high school

program that allows students

to pursue their interests.

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Foundation Plan with Endorsements Diploma

■ Foundation Plan (22 credits)

- the core of the Texas high school diploma program

■ Endorsements (4 or more additional credits)

- acknowledgement(s) a student receives for completing the Foundation Plan and

a series of courses in a particular endorsement area

- five endorsement options

■ Enhancements

Distinguished Level of Achievement

- notes completion of more advanced academic courses and an endorsement

Performance Acknowledgment

- notes outstanding achievement in specific areas3

Foundation Plan

The 22 credit Foundation Plan coursework includes:

– English language arts 4 credits

– Mathematics 3 credits

– Social studies 3 credits

– Science 3 credits

– Foreign language 2 credits

– Fine Arts 1 credit

– PE 1 credit

– Electives (includes speech and health) 5 credits

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Endorsements

Endorsement areas are made up of a series of related courses that

are grouped together by interest or skills. Each endorsement area

will provide students with in-depth knowledge of a subject area.

New Braunfels ISD offers courses in five endorsement areas:

– Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

– Business and Industry

– Arts and Humanities

– Public Services

– Multidisciplinary Studies

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Business

and Industry

Public

Service

Arts &

Humanities

STEM Multidisciplinary

Studies

Agriculture, Food, and

Natural Resources

Education and Training Social Studies Advanced

Mathematics

4x4

Business Management

and Administration

Health Science LOTE Advanced

Science

Advanced

Finance Human Services Fine Arts STEM with a

CTE Focus

CTE

Information Technology Law, Public Safety,

Corrections, and Security

English

Marketing

Transportation,

Distribution, and Logistics

Arts, A/V Technology, and

Communications

Communications / English

Courses are categorized into career clusters or areas of

special interest for each endorsement area.

NBISD Endorsements

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Endorsements

To earn an endorsement, students must complete

a) Foundation Plan coursework,

b) an additional math credit,

c) an additional science credit, and

d) a coherent sequence of elective or Career and Technical Education

courses that meet the requirements for a specific endorsement.

A student must earn at least 26 credits to earn an endorsement.

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Earning Recognition for Achievements

Distinguished Level of Achievement

To earn Distinguished Level of Achievement, a student must meet the

Foundation Program requirements and

- earn a total of 4 credits in math including Algebra II,

- earn a total of 4 credits in science, and

- successfully complete at least one endorsement.

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Earning Recognition for Achievements

Distinguished Level of Achievement

— better preparation for college-level coursework (community and technical colleges and universities)

— more college and university options

— more financial aid options

— an improved likelihood for enrollment into college classes related to the

chosen field of study

— required for students competing for Top 10% automatic admission at any

Texas state funded university

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Earning Recognition for Achievements

Performance Acknowledgments

A student may earn Performance Acknowledgements for outstanding

performance:

— in a dual credit course

— in bilingualism and biliteracy

— on the PSAT, ACT-Plan, SAT, or ACT

— on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam

A student may also earn a Performance Acknowledgment for earning a

nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or

license.

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Developing a Four-year Plan

Step One: Log in to your account in Career Cruising

- Go to careercruising.com

- Username: NBR-(your ID#)

- Password: your birthdate in digits (May 25, 200305252003) or

a new password that you have created

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Developing a Four-year Plan

Step Two: Complete the interest inventory in Career Cruising.

1) Explore My Interests 2) Matchmaker & My Skills

3) Complete three sets of questions

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Complete this

activity at home.

Developing a Four-year Plan

Step Three: Review your four-year plan in Career Cruising. Visit with

the campus counselor for changes.

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Use the NBISD

Course Catalog

to look up

courses.

Developing a Four-year PlanStep Four: Make sure you have a signed HB 5 Endorsement

Declaration form on file with your counselor.

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Do not write

below this line.

CTE Counselor

New Braunfels ISD Ninth Grade Center

Lisa Cottle

(830) 629 – 8608

lcottle@nbisd.org

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Contact Mrs. Cottle,

CTE counselor, if you

wish to make an

appointment to review

your four-year plan.