(a) Credits. A student must earn at least 26 credits
to complete the Recommended High School Program.
(b) Core courses. A student must demonstrate proficiency
in the following:
(1) English language arts--four credits. The credits
must consist of English I, II, III, and IV. (Students with limited
English proficiency who are at the beginning or intermediate level
of English language proficiency, as defined by §74.4(d) of this
title (relating to English Language Proficiency Standards), may satisfy
the English I and English II graduation requirements by successfully
completing English I for Speakers of Other Languages and English II
for Speakers of Other Languages.)
(2) Mathematics--four credits. Three of the credits
must consist of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry.
(A) The additional credit may be Mathematical Models
with Applications and must be successfully completed prior to Algebra
II.
(B) The fourth credit may be selected from the following
courses:
(i) Precalculus;
(ii) Independent Study in Mathematics;
(iii) Advanced Quantitative Reasoning;
(iv) Algebraic Reasoning;
(v) Statistics;
(vi) Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics;
(vii) AP Calculus AB;
(viii) AP Calculus BC;
(ix) AP Computer Science;
(x) International Baccalaureate (IB) Mathematical Studies
Standard Level;
(xi) IB Mathematics Standard Level;
(xii) IB Mathematics Higher Level;
(xiii) IB Further Mathematics Standard Level;
(xiv) Robotics Programming and Design;
(xv) Discrete Mathematics for Problem Solving;
(xvi) Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science; and
(xvii) pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.025(b-5),
a mathematics course endorsed by an institution of higher education
as a course for which the institution would award course credit or
as a prerequisite for a course for which the institution would award
course credit. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) shall maintain a current
list of courses approved under this clause.
(C) The additional credit may be selected from the
following courses and may be taken after the successful completion
of Algebra I and Geometry and either after the successful completion
of or concurrently with Algebra II:
(i) Engineering Mathematics;
(ii) Mathematical Applications in Agriculture, Food,
and Natural Resources;
(iii) Statistics and Risk Management; and
(iv) Digital Electronics.
(3) Science--four credits. Three of the credits must
consist of a biology credit (Biology, AP Biology, or IB Biology),
a chemistry credit (Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry), and
a physics credit (Physics, Principles of Technology, AP Physics, or
IB Physics).
(A) The additional credit may be Integrated Physics
and Chemistry (IPC) and must be successfully completed prior to chemistry
and physics.
(B) The fourth credit may be selected from the following
laboratory-based courses:
(i) Aquatic Science;
(ii) Astronomy;
(iii) Earth and Space Science;
(iv) Environmental Systems;
(v) AP Biology;
(vi) AP Chemistry;
(vii) AP Physics B;
(viii) AP Physics C;
(ix) AP Environmental Science;
(x) IB Biology;
(xi) IB Chemistry;
(xii) IB Physics;
(xiii) IB Environmental Systems; and
(xiv) pursuant to the TEC, §28.025(b-5), a science
course endorsed by an institution of higher education as a course
for which the institution would award course credit or as a prerequisite
for a course for which the institution would award course credit.
The TEA shall maintain a current list of courses approved under this
clause.
(C) The additional credit may be selected from the
following laboratory-based courses and may be taken after the successful
completion of biology and chemistry and either after the successful
completion of or concurrently with physics:
(i) Scientific Research and Design;
(ii) Anatomy and Physiology;
(iii) Engineering Design and Problem Solving;
(iv) Medical Microbiology;
(v) Pathophysiology;
(vi) Advanced Animal Science;
(vii) Advanced Biotechnology;
(viii) Advanced Plant and Soil Science;
(ix) Food Science;
(x) Forensic Science; and
(xi) Principles of Engineering.
(4) Social studies--four credits. The credits must
consist of World History Studies (one credit), World Geography Studies
(one credit), United States History Studies Since 1877 (one credit),
United States Government (one-half credit), and Economics with Emphasis
on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits (one-half credit).
(5) Languages other than English--two credits. The
credits must consist of any two levels in the same language.
(6) Physical education--one credit.
(A) The required credit may be selected from any combination
of the following one-half to one credit courses:
(i) Foundations of Personal Fitness;
(ii) Adventure/Outdoor Education;
(iii) Aerobic Activities; and
(iv) Team or Individual Sports.
(B) In accordance with local district policy, credit
for any of the courses listed in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph
may be earned through participation in the following activities:
(i) Athletics;
(ii) Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC);
and
(iii) appropriate private or commercially sponsored
physical activity programs conducted on or off campus. The district
must apply to the commissioner of education for approval of such programs,
which may be substituted for state graduation credit in physical education.
Such approval may be granted under the following conditions.
(I) Olympic-level participation and/or competition
includes a minimum of 15 hours per week of highly intensive, professional,
supervised training. The training facility, instructors, and the activities
involved in the program must be certified by the superintendent to
be of exceptional quality. Students qualifying and participating at
this level may be dismissed from school one hour per day. Students
dismissed may not miss any class other than physical education.
(II) Private or commercially sponsored physical activities
include those certified by the superintendent to be of high quality
and well supervised by appropriately trained instructors. Student
participation of at least five hours per week must be required. Students
certified to participate at this level may not be dismissed from any
part of the regular school day.
(C) In accordance with local district policy, up to
one credit for any one of the courses listed in subparagraph (A) of
this paragraph may be earned through participation in any of the following
activities:
(i) Drill Team;
(ii) Marching Band; and
(iii) Cheerleading.
(D) All substitution activities allowed in subparagraphs
(B) and (C) of this paragraph must include at least 100 minutes per
five-day school week of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
(E) Credit may not be earned for any course identified
in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph more than once. No more than
four substitution credits may be earned through any combination of
substitutions allowed in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph.
(F) If a student is unable to comply with all of the
requirements for a physical education course due to a physical limitation
certified by a licensed medical practitioner, a modification to a
physical education course does not prohibit the student from earning
a Recommended High School Program diploma. A student with a physical
limitation must still demonstrate proficiency in the relevant knowledge
and skills in a physical education course that do not require physical
activity.
(G) A student who is unable to participate in physical
activity due to disability or illness may substitute an academic elective
credit (English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies)
for the physical education credit requirement. The determination regarding
a student's ability to participate in physical activity will be made
by:
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