Preparing TMISD students for Success Changing Graduation Requirements as a result of HB 5

The Texas 83 rd Legislature’s rationale: House Bill 5 was passed :

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as a result of the strong Texas economy that continues to increase the number of jobs and the types of jobs that are available statewide.

Businesses are being created with new occupations and occupations that are evolving to meet this new business need.

in Texas there is a mismatch with the number of jobs available in these highly skilled and high paying jobs and the number of people available to fill the them.

therefore, HB5 attempts to fill this dynamic by granting districts flexibility on how courses are offered to students.

it begins by each eighth grade student selecting one of the three graduation requirements and an endorsement.

Graduation Requirements

Foundation (22 credits) (Fewer credits but limits options after high school) Foundation + Endorsement (26) Distinguished Level of Achievement (26) (Foundation + Endorsement + Algebra II) College bound students are strongly advised to complete the Distinguished level of Achievement, it assures eligibility for automatic admission to Texas public colleges or universities

What is an Endorsement?

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Selecting an

ENDORSEMENT

is like choosing a

MAJOR

in College! It’s a career pathway into a field of interest. Selecting an endorsement area begins during the eighth grade year with parent input and approval.

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Courses are selected that can lead to job related certifications, associate degrees and college readiness after high school.

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Courses offered at TMISD are those approved by TEA, included are Career and Technology Education (CTE), Advanced Placement (AP) and college courses (dual credit).

Special Note:

Built into the plans are academic incentives for outstanding academic performance(s) and noted on the high school transcript as “Performance Acknowledgements”

There are 5 Endorsement Areas with each having several specializations

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STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) * Engineering, Aerospace, computer scie nce

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Public Services * Health Science (CNA) , Education, JNROTC, Human Services

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Business and Industry * Agricultural Sciences, Metal Fabrication, Architecture, Accounting, Process Technology

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Arts and Humanities * Fine Arts, Communications

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Multidisciplinary Studies * Default plan- no direct career path-sampling in the different endorsement areas

Note: Health Science has been move back to The Public Services Endorsement as it initially began.

What should be considered when deciding endorsements?

The course work that will be taken the next four years will depend on the endorsement decision that is made. While considering the options, students and parents will be encouraged to consider :

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the skills their child exhibits interests their child may have the high workforce demands in the area?

Tools and Resources

Does the student enjoy keeping good records; fixing things that might be broken; doing things that involve mathematics, science, building things; helping others?

> Career Cruising (career interest inventory assessment) > ACT Aspire (Explore (8 th ); PLAN (10 th ); ACT (world of work, career interest, college planning) > PSAT (career and college planning) > TMHS webpages > Parent nights > Parent conferences > Student initiatives (Shadow Day, Career Day, campus visits, recruiters visits > Monitoring Four year personal graduation plans