Course requirements will include algebra II, health, gym credits
In response to statewide changes to high school graduation plans, the Austin ISD board of trustees unanimously approved the Distinguished Level of Achievement as the district default graduation plan at its Dec. 16 meeting.
Trustees also approved the requirement of one credit of physical education and one half credit of health to meet graduation requirements for all plans beginning with the class of 2018.
As part of House Bill 5, which was signed into law in 2013, the state Minimum, Recommended and Distinguished graduation plans will be replaced by new Foundation High School Program plan options starting with the class of 2018. By choosing a default graduation plan, the district automatically sets students on one graduation course.
The new state-mandated graduation plans include a 22-credit Foundation diploma, which can be completed with endorsements—areas of concentration—for 26 credits.
Students can earn a Distinguished Level of Achievement by participating in advanced courses. AISD's HB 5 policy planning committee for graduation plans advised choosing the Distinguished plan after seeking feedback from parents, principals and campus advisory councils.
Trustee Robert Schneider said that under the Distinguished plan, students will be doing everything that they need to do to get into college.
The plan requires students to complete advanced science and math courses, including algebra II.
Students will be able to opt out of the default plan and choose a different plan only if a parent, counselor and the school principal sign off on the change, said Paul Cruz, AISD chief of schools officer.
Vivian Ballard, chairwoman of the district School Health Advisory Council, asked trustees to include health and physical education credit hours in the plan.
"We feel it is tremendously important for the health and well-being of the students to have those credit hours maintained," she said during citizens communication. "P.E. is critical because it's not just about physical activity; it's about physical education [and] teaching them what they need to be healthy members of society as they go out as adults."
Parent Casie Wenmohs said AISD should prioritize existing strengths at its campuses as well as the needs of the local workforce as it implements the legislation.
More AISD students are ready for college and career than ever before, said Drew Scheberle, senior vice president of education and talent development for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.
"[The Distinguished Level of Achievement plan] is really the same as the Recommended plan that you've been doing for the last 14 years, so this is a great opportunity to continue the progress," he said.
AISD trustee Ann Teich said parents throughout the district should be prepared for the changes that will take place in AISD to implement the law in its schools.
"It is going to take a village just to figure all of this out," she said.
