As school districts across the state prepare for the changes that come with the implementation of House Bill 5, officials at Cy-Fair ISD say many of the pieces are already in place to ensure a smooth transition.
House Bill 5, which was passed earlier this year in the 83rd Legislative Session, will be implemented in the 2014–15 school year. The bill's most notable components involve lowering the number of standardized tests a student must take to graduate from 15 to five and requiring school districts to provide advanced courses in fields that prepare students to enter the workforce.
"We are very happy that the state board followed through with the intent of the law and the flexibility it provides students," said Linda Macias, CFISD's associate superintendent of curriculum, instruction and accountability. "A huge piece of this bill is giving students choices."
The directions students are able to steer their education toward fall under five broad categories referred to as endorsements: business and industry, arts and humanities, public service, multidisciplinary studies or STEM—which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students in eighth grade this year will have to select an endorsement to pursue when entering ninth grade next year, Macias said.
"Our challenge right now is to make sure our eighth graders are understanding the endorsements," she said. "There is an array of courses that will be approved by the State Board of Education in January and the district then selects courses they want to offer."
CFISD posted two videos to its website in November explaining the endorsements for students and parents. The district is also partnering with Junior Achievement—a nonprofit that works with students on work readiness and entrepreneurship—to plan a job awareness exhibit at the Berry Center in February.
The district is also designing a course all eighth graders will be required to take next year.
"The course will give our students the opportunity to research and study the different endorsements and become familiar with them so, as the end of the year approaches, they will have a better understanding of the five endorsements as they work toward a graduation plan," Macias said.
Macias pointed out the district has always made it a priority to establish a graduation plan for every one of its students, even before HB5. The difference now, she said, is the focus provided by the five endorsements. She said although districts are not required to offer all five endorsements, CFISD will.
"We believe that we need to have a systemic approach across all 10 high schools and all 10 have the same opportunities," she said. "We are very fortunate in Cy-Fair that we have an abundance of courses we offer that fall under each endorsement."
The district has also been working with the Lone Star College System for past year and a half developing dual credit courses in career and technology fields, Macias said.
"That will fall right into what's happening with HB5," she said.
Aside from changes in curriculum, the district has also considered House Bill 5 in the design of its upcoming multi-school site at FM 529 and Westgreen Boulevard. Four small learning communities will allow students to have quick access to their classes, counselors and administrators.
Macias said the challenges that have come with preparing students for the House Bill 5 changes will be much easier to deal with next year, once programs are established.
