19 TAC Chapter 74, Subchapter F

Chapter 74. Curriculum Requirements
Subchapter = F.=20 Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2007-2008

Statutory Authority: The provisions of = this=20 Subchapter F issued under
the Texas Education Code, = =A7=A77.102(c)(4), 28.002,=20 and 28.025(a), unless otherwise noted.

=A774.61. High = School Graduation=20 Requirements.

(a) Graduates of each high school are = awarded=20 the same type of diploma. The academic achievement record (transcript), = rather=20 than the diploma, records individual accomplishments, achievements, and = courses=20 completed and displays appropriate graduation seals.

(b) All credit for graduation must be = earned no=20 later than Grade 12.

(c) A student entering Grade 9 in the = 2007-2008=20 school year and thereafter shall enroll in the courses necessary to = complete the=20 curriculum requirements for the recommended high school program = specified in=20 =A774.63 of this title (relating to Recommended High School Program) or = the=20 advanced program specified in =A774.64 of this title (relating to = Distinguished=20 Achievement High School Program--Advanced High School Program) unless = the=20 student, the student's parent or other persons standing in parental = relation to=20 the student, and a school counselor or school administrator agree that = the=20 student should be permitted to take courses under the minimum high = school=20 program specified in =A774.62 of this title (relating to Minimum High = School=20 Program). High school courses successfully completed prior to Grade 9 = and the=20 2007-2008 school year shall count toward graduation in the manner = established in=20 this chapter for credit in the year the course is successfully = completed.

(d) To receive a high school diploma, = a student=20 entering Grade 9 in the 2007-2008 school year and thereafter must = complete the=20 following:

(1) in accordance with subsection (c) = of this=20 section, requirements of the minimum high school program specified in = =A774.62,=20 the recommended high school program specified in =A774.63, or the = advanced program=20 specified in =A774.64; and

(2) testing requirements for graduation = as=20 specified in Chapter 101 of this title (relating to Assessment).

(e) A maximum of three credits of = reading=20 (selected from Reading I, II, or III) may be offered by districts for = state=20 graduation elective credit for identified students under the following=20 conditions.

(1) The school district board of = trustees shall=20 adopt policies to identify students in need of additional reading=20 instruction.

(2) District procedures shall include = assessment=20 of individual student needs, ongoing evaluation of each student's = progress, and=20 monitoring of instructional activities to ensure that student needs are=20 addressed.

(f) An out-of-state or out-of-country = transfer=20 student (including foreign exchange students) or a transfer student from = a Texas=20 nonpublic school is eligible to receive a Texas diploma, but must = complete all=20 requirements of this section to satisfy state graduation requirements. = Any=20 course credit required in this section that is not completed by the = student=20 before he or she enrolls in a Texas school district may be satisfied = through the=20 provisions of =A774.23 of this title (relating to Correspondence Courses = and=20 Distance Learning) and =A774.24 of this title (relating to Credit by = Examination)=20 or by completing the course or courses according to the provisions of = =A774.26 of=20 this title (relating to Award of Credit).

(g) Elective credits in all three = graduation=20 programs may be selected from the following:

(1) the list of courses approved by the = State=20 Board of Education (SBOE) for Grades 9-12 as specified in =A774.1 of = this title=20 (relating to Essential Knowledge and Skills);

(2) state-approved innovative courses = as=20 specified in =A774.27 of this chapter (relating to Innovative Courses = and=20 Programs);

(3) Junior Reserve Officer Training = Corps=20 (JROTC)--one to four credits; or

(4) Driver Education--one-half = credit.

(h) College Board advanced placement = and=20 International Baccalaureate courses may be substituted for courses = required in=20 appropriate areas in all three high school graduation programs. College = Board=20 advanced placement and International Baccalaureate courses may be used = as=20 electives in all three high school graduation programs.

Source: The provisions of this =A774.61 adopted to = be=20 effective September 1, 2005, 29 TexReg 9358; amended to be effective = January 9,=20 2007, 32 TexReg 86; amended to be effective December 25, 2007, 32 TexReg = 9624.

=A774.62. = Minimum High School=20 Program.

(a) Credits. A student must earn at = least 22=20 credits to complete the Minimum High School Program.

(b) Core Courses. A student must = demonstrate=20 proficiency in the following.

(1) English language arts--four = credits. The=20 credits must consist of:

(A) English I, II, and III (English = I for=20 Speakers of Other Languages and English II for Speakers of Other = Languages may=20 be substituted for English I and II only for immigrant students with = limited=20 English proficiency); and

(B) Fourth credit of English, which = may be=20 satisfied by English IV, Research/Technical Writing, = Creative/Imaginative=20 Writing, Practical Writing Skills, Literary Genres, Business = Communication,=20 Journalism, or concurrent enrollment in a college English course.

(2) Mathematics--three credits to = include Algebra=20 I and Geometry.

(3) Science--two credits. The credits = must=20 consist of Biology and Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC). A student = may=20 substitute Chemistry or Physics for IPC and then must use the second of = these=20 two courses as the academic elective credit identified in subsection = (b)(6) of=20 this section.

(4) Social studies--two and one-half = credits. The=20 credits must consist of World History Studies (one credit) or World = Geography=20 Studies (one credit), United States History Studies Since Reconstruction = (one=20 credit), and United States Government (one-half credit).

(5) Economics, with emphasis on the = free=20 enterprise system and its benefits--one-half credit. The credit must = consist of=20 Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its = Benefits.

(6) Academic elective--one credit. The = credit=20 must be selected from World History Studies, World Geography Studies, or = any=20 science course approved by the State Board of Education (SBOE) for = science=20 credit as found in Chapter 112 of this title (relating to Texas = Essential=20 Knowledge and Skills for Science). If a student elects to replace IPC = with=20 either Chemistry or Physics as described in subsection (b)(3) of this = section,=20 the academic elective must be the other of these two science = courses.

(7) Physical education--one and = one-half credits=20 to include Foundations of Personal Fitness (one-half credit).

(A) A student may not earn more than = two=20 credits in physical education toward state graduation requirements.

(B) The school district board of = trustees may=20 allow a student to substitute certain physical activities for the = required=20 credits in physical education, including the Foundations of Personal = Fitness.=20 The substitutions must be based on the physical activity involved in = drill team,=20 marching band, and cheerleading during the fall semester; Junior Reserve = Officer=20 Training Corps (JROTC); athletics; Dance I-IV; two- or three-credit = career and=20 technology work-based training courses, and off-campus physical = education.

(C) In accordance with local = district policy,=20 a school district may award up to two credits for physical education for = appropriate private or commercially-sponsored physical activity programs = conducted on or off campus. The district must apply to the commissioner = of=20 education for approval of such programs, which may be substituted for = state=20 graduation credit in physical education. Such approval may be granted = under the=20 following conditions:

(i) Olympic-level participation and/or = competition=20 includes a minimum of 15 hours per week of highly intensive, = professional,=20 supervised training. The training facility, instructors, and the = activities=20 involved in the program must be certified by the superintendent to be of = exceptional quality. Students qualifying and participating at this level = may be=20 dismissed from school one hour per day. Students dismissed may not miss = any=20 class other than physical education.

(ii) Private or commercially-sponsored = physical=20 activities include those certified by the superintendent to be of high = quality=20 and well supervised by appropriately trained instructors. Student = participation=20 of at least five hours per week must be required. Students certified to=20 participate at this level may not be dismissed from any part of the = regular=20 school day.

(8) Health education--one-half credit, = which may=20 be satisfied by Health 1 or Advanced Health, or Health Science = Technology--one=20 credit, which may be satisfied by Introduction to Health Science = Technology,=20 Health Science Technology I, or Health Science Technology II.

(9) Speech--one-half credit. The credit = must=20 consist of Communication Applications.

(10) Technology applications--one = credit, which=20 may be satisfied by:

(A) the following courses in Chapter = 126 of=20 this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for = Technology=20 Applications): Computer Science I, Computer Science II, Desktop = Publishing,=20 Digital Graphics/Animation, Multimedia, Video Technology, Web Mastering, = or=20 Independent Study in Technology Applications;

(B) the following courses in Chapter = 120 of=20 this title (relating to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for = Business=20 Education): Business Computer Information Systems I or II, Business = Computer=20 Programming, Telecommunications and Networking, or Business Image = Management and=20 Multimedia; or

(C) the following courses in Chapter = 123 of=20 this title (relating to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for = Technology=20 Education/Industrial Technology Education): Computer Applications, = Technology=20 Systems (modular computer laboratory-based), Communications Graphics = (modular=20 computer laboratory-based), or Computer Multimedia and Animation = Technology.

(c) Elective Courses--five and = one-half credits.=20 The credits must be selected from the list of courses specified in = =A774.61(g) of=20 this title (relating to High School Graduation Requirements).

Source: The provisions of this =A774.62 adopted to = be=20 effective September 1, 2005, 29 TexReg 9358.

=A774.63. Recommended=20 High School Program.

(a) Credits. A student must earn at = least 26=20 credits to complete the Recommended High School Program.

(b) Core Courses. A student must = demonstrate=20 proficiency in the following:

(1) English language arts--four = credits. The=20 credits must consist of English I, II, III, and IV (English I for = Speakers of=20 Other Languages and English II for Speakers of Other Languages may be=20 substituted for English I and II only for immigrant students with = limited=20 English proficiency).

(2) Mathematics--four credits.

(A) The credits must consist of = Algebra I,=20 Algebra II, and Geometry. After successful completion of Algebra I, = Geometry,=20 and Algebra II, a student may select the fourth required credit from any = of the=20 following courses, except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this = paragraph:

(i) Precalculus;

(ii) Independent Study in Mathematics;

(iii) Advanced Placement (AP) = Statistics;

(iv) AP Calculus AB;

(v) AP Calculus BC;

(vi) AP Computer Science;

(vii) International Baccalaureate (IB) = Mathematical=20 Studies Subsidiary Level;

(viii) IB Mathematical Methods Subsidiary = Level;

(ix) IB Mathematics Higher Level;

(x) IB Advanced Mathematics Subsidiary = Level;

(xi) concurrent enrollment in college = mathematics=20 courses; and

(xii) Mathematical Models with = Applications.

(B) If selected, Mathematical Models = with=20 Applications must be taken prior to Algebra II.

(3) Science--four credits.

(A) One credit must be a biology = credit=20 (Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, or International = Baccalaureate (IB)=20 Biology). Students must choose two credits from the following areas. Not = more=20 than one credit may be chosen from each of the areas to satisfy this=20 requirement.

(i) Integrated Physics and Chemistry = (IPC);

(ii) Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB = Chemistry;=20 and

(iii) Physics, Principles of Technology I, = AP=20 Physics, or IB Physics.

(B) IPC cannot be taken as the final = or fourth=20 year of science, but must be taken before the senior year of high = school. The=20 fourth year of science may be selected from the laboratory-based courses = listed=20 in Chapter 112 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and = Skills=20 for Science), with the addition of Engineering and Earth and Space = Science.

(C) A student entering Grade 9 = beginning with=20 the 2012-2013 school year must take three science credits, at least one = from=20 each category, from the following areas:

(i) Biology, AP Biology, or IB = Biology;

(ii) Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB = Chemistry;=20 and

(iii) Physics, Principles of Technology I, = AP=20 Physics, or IB Physics.

(D) The fourth year of science may = be selected=20 from the laboratory-based courses listed in Chapter 112 of this title = (relating=20 to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science), with the addition = of=20 Engineering and Earth and Space Science.

(E) The SBOE may designate = additional courses=20 that meet the requirements of this paragraph.

(4) Social studies--three and one-half = credits.=20 The credits must consist of World History Studies (one credit), World = Geography=20 Studies (one credit), United States History Studies Since Reconstruction = (one=20 credit), and United States Government (one-half credit).

(6) Languages other than English--two = credits.=20 The credits earned must be for any two levels in the same language.

(7) Physical education--one and = one-half credits=20 to include Foundations of Personal Fitness (one-half credit).

(A) A student may not earn more than = two=20 credits in physical education toward state graduation requirements.

(B) The school district board of = trustees may=20 allow a student to substitute certain physical activities for the = required=20 credits in physical education, including the Foundations of Personal = Fitness.=20 The substitutions must be based on the physical activity involved in = drill team,=20 marching band, and cheerleading during the fall semester; Junior Reserve = Officer=20 Training Corps (JROTC); athletics; Dance I-IV; and two- or three-credit = career=20 and technology work-based training courses.

(8) Health education--one-half credit, = which may=20 satisfied by Health 1 or Advanced Health, or Health Science = Technology--one=20 credit, which may be satisfied by Introduction to Health Science = Technology,=20 Health Science Technology I, or Health Science Technology II.

(9) Speech--one-half credit. The credit = must=20 consist of Communication Applications.

(10) Technology applications--one = credit, which=20 may be satisfied by:

(D) the completion of three credits = (for=20 students participating in a coherent sequence of career and technology = courses=20 or who are enrolled in a Tech Prep high school plan of study) consisting = of two=20 or more state-approved career and technology courses in Chapters 119-125 = and 127=20 of this title. Districts shall ensure that career and technology = courses,=20 including innovative courses, in a coherent sequence used to meet the = technology=20 applications credit are appropriate to collectively teach the knowledge = and=20 skills found in any of the approved courses listed in subparagraphs (A), = (B),=20 and (C) of this paragraph. Students pursuing the technology applications = option=20 described in this subparagraph must demonstrate proficiency in = technology=20 applications prior to the beginning of Grade 11.

(11) Fine arts--one credit, which may = be=20 satisfied by any course in Chapter 117, Subchapter C, of this title = (relating to=20 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts).

(c) Elective Courses--three and = one-half=20 credits. The credits may be selected from the list of courses specified = in=20 =A774.61(g) of this title (relating to High School Graduation = Requirements). All=20 students who wish to complete the Recommended High School Program are = encouraged=20 to study each of the four foundation curriculum areas (English language = arts,=20 mathematics, science, and social studies) every year in high school.

(d) Substitutions. No substitutions = are allowed=20 in the Recommended High School Program, except as specified in this = chapter.

Source: The provisions of this =A774.63 adopted to = be=20 effective September 1, 2005, 29 TexReg 9358; amended to be effective = January 9,=20 2007, 32 TexReg 86.

=A774.64.=20 Distinguished Achievement=20 High School Program--Advanced High = School=20 Program.

(a) Credits. A student must earn at = least 26=20 credits to complete the Distinguished Achievement High School = Program.

(b) Core Courses. A student must = demonstrate=20 proficiency in the following:

(2) Mathematics--four credits. The = credits must=20 consist of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry and an additional = SBOE-approved=20 mathematics course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite.

(3) Science--four credits. The credits = must=20 consist of a biology credit (Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, = or=20 International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology), a chemistry credit = (Chemistry, AP=20 Chemistry, or IB Chemistry), a physics credit (Physics, AP Physics, or = IB=20 Physics), and an additional approved laboratory-based science course. = After=20 successful completion of a biology course, a chemistry course, and a = physics=20 course, a student may select the fourth required credit from any of the=20 following laboratory-based courses:

(A) Earth and Space Science;

(B) Environmental Systems;

(D) Astronomy;

(E) Anatomy and Physiology of Human=20 Systems;

(F) AP Biology;

(G) IB Biology

(H) AP Chemistry;

(I) IB Chemistry;

(J) AP Physics;

(K) IB Physics;

(L) AP Environmental Science;

(M) IB Environmental Systems;

(N) Scientific Research and Design; = and

(O) Engineering.

(6) Languages other than English--three = credits.=20 The credits earned must be for any three levels in the same = language.

(7) Physical education--one and = one-half credits=20 to include Foundations of Personal Fitness (one-half credit).

(A) A student may not earn more than = two=20 credits in physical education toward state graduation requirements.

(B) The school district board of = trustees may=20 allow a student to substitute certain physical activities for the = required=20 credits in physical education, including the Foundations of Personal = Fitness.=20 The substitutions must be based on the physical activity involved in = drill team,=20 marching band, and cheerleading during the fall semester; Junior Reserve = Officer=20 Training Corps (JROTC); athletics; Dance I-IV; and two- or three-credit = career=20 and technology work-based training courses.

(9) Speech--one-half credit. The credit = must=20 consist of Communication Applications.

(10) Technology applications--one = credit, which=20 may be satisfied by:

(11) Fine arts--one credit, which may = be=20 satisfied by any course in Chapter 117, Subchapter C, of this title = (relating to=20 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts).

(c) Elective Courses--two and one-half = credits.=20 The credits may be selected from the list of courses specified in = =A774.61(g) of=20 this title (relating to High School Graduation Requirements). All = students who=20 wish to complete the Distinguished Achievement High School Program are=20 encouraged to study each of the four foundation curriculum areas = (English=20 language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies) every year in = high=20 school.

(d) Advanced measures. A student also = must=20 achieve any combination of four of the following advanced measures. = Original=20 research/projects may not be used for more than two of the four advanced = measures. The measures must focus on demonstrated student performance at = the=20 college or professional level. Student performance on advanced measures = must be=20 assessed through an external review process. The student may choose from = the=20 following options:

(1) original research/project that = is:

(A) judged by a panel of = professionals in the=20 field that is the focus of the project; or

(B) conducted under the direction of = mentor(s)=20 and reported to an appropriate audience; and

(C) related to the required = curriculum set=20 forth in =A774.1 of this title (relating to Essential Knowledge and = Skills);

(2) test data where a student = receives:

(A) a score of three or above on the = College=20 Board advanced placement examination;

(B) a score of four or above on an=20 International Baccalaureate examination; or

(C) a score on the Preliminary = Scholastic=20 Assessment Test (PSAT) that qualifies the student for recognition as a = commended=20 scholar or higher by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as part = of the=20 National Hispanic Scholar Program of the College Board or as part of the = National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding Negro Students = of the=20 National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT score shall count as = only one=20 advanced measure regardless of the number of honors received by the = student;=20 or

(3) college academic courses, advanced = technical=20 credit courses, and dual credit courses, including local articulation, = with a=20 grade of 3.0 or higher.

(e) Substitutions. No substitutions = are allowed=20 in the Distinguished Achievement High School Program, except as = specified in=20 this chapter.

Source: The provisions of this =A774.64 adopted to = be=20 effective September 1, 2005, 29 TexReg 9358; amended to be effective = January 9,=20 2007, 32 TexReg 86.

Last updated: = December 31,=20 2007

Division of Policy = Coordination
(512)=20 475-1497
rules@tea.state.tx.us