Graduation Requirements
Texas high school students now need to pass five end-of-course exams instead of 15 to meet state graduation requirements. High school students must complete tests in: Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History. Passage of HB 5 eliminates the requirement that districts include the EOC results as 15 percent of course grades.  HB5 also introduced a new graduation plan, The Foundation Plan.

The Foundation Plan
The Foundation Plan replaces the previous Minimum, Recommended and Distinguished plans offered to students as options for graduation, and is the plan under which students entering high school during the 2014-15 academic year will graduate. Students who were enrolled in grades 9-11 prior to the 2014-15 academic year have the option to graduate under The Foundation Plan if they so elect.

The Foundation Plan expands the availability of career and technology (CTE) courses, and encourages students to select a personal pathway of study, called an endorsement. All students entering the 9th grade in 2014 will be required to select an endorsement pathway.
  • No changes should be made to the graduation plans of rising senior high school students without school counselor review and recommendation. Counselors will help students identify their interests and match them to an endorsement plan.
  • For students who will enter high school as freshmen during the 2014-2015 academic school year, the Foundation Plan requires 22 credits to graduate in the areas listed below. In addition, passing scores on the five STAAR EOC exams are required.
  • Keep in mind that graduation requirements are those in effect the year a student enters high school as a ninth-grader
  • See your school counselor for complete information.

Grad Plan
22 Course Credits under the FOUNDATION PLAN
(22 Foundation Credits + 4 Endorsement Credits = 26 Total Credits)

Required Courses:
  • 4 English Language Arts
  • 3 Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, and advanced math)
  • 3 Social Studies (World Geography or World History, U.S. History, Government & Economics
  • 3 Science (Biology and 2 additional sciences – advanced or IPC)
  • 2 Languages other than English
  • 1 Fine Arts
  • 1 Physical Education
  • 5 Electives

Areas of Endorsement
The FOUNDATION plan offers students the choice of an endorsement, or targeted area of study. Much as a student would pick a major in college, the new option for an endorsement offers a student the ability to earn a total of 26 total credits (a combination of core requirements and endorsement electives) in a targeted area of study for high school graduation.