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FOUNDATION HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM + ENDORSEMENT

HIGH SCHOOL 4- YEAR PLAN

2024-2025

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Endorsements help create a personalized learning plan in line with a student’s career interests and goals.

  • Students and parents are required to select (in writing) an endorsement area and create a 4-Year Plan.
  • There will be opportunities to review and/or modify the plan each year.
  • Schedule changes for the next school year must be made before the end of April 2024.
  • Students may earn more than one endorsement.

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NOTE: Students must graduate with the Distinguished Level of Achievement in order to be eligible for top 10% automatic admission at any Texas public university and also to be considered for the TEXAS Grant.

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ENDORSEMENT PLAN CONSIDERATIONS

  • What is your student’s best academic pathway for high school considering:
    • Personal interests and talents
    • Career aspirations
    • Post-secondary goals

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  • What are the admission requirements for the College/University they wish to attend?

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  • Remember…the Endorsement(s) chosen will determine many of the high school elective choices.

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Engineering (Formerly STEM)

Business & Industry

Public Services

Arts & Humanities

Multidisciplinary

Areas of Interest:

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  • Science
  • Technology (including Computer Science)
  • Engineering
  • Math

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Areas of Interest:

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  • Agriculture
  • Architecture & Construction
  • Technology & Communication
  • Business Marketing & Finance
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

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Areas of Interest:

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  • Education & Training
  • Health Science
  • Human Services
  • AFJROTC

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Areas of Interest:

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  • Social Studies
  • Languages other than English (Foreign Language)
  • Fine Arts
  • Art
  • Dance
  • Music
  • Theatre

Four by Four (4x4), AP/DC

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Students take four (4) courses in each of the four content areas.

  • Four English Credits
  • Four Math credits
  • Four Science credits
  • Four Social Studies credits

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Provides students the opportunity to take a variety of courses from each of the other four endorsement areas

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NOTE: Students must graduate with the Distinguished Level of Achievement in order to be eligible for top 10% automatic admission at any Texas public university and also to be considered for the TEXAS Grant.

PACE – Personal, Academic & Career Exploration – required in 9th grade.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT LEVELS

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  • On-level (the course title without a letter after it): Choose this level if you are CURRENTLY in an on-level class of that content area in 8th grade. If you have an 85 or above average in that class, you will receive a letter in the spring and will have the opportunity to choose K-level at that time.
  • K (Accelerated level): Choose this level only if you are CURRENTLY in a K-level class of that content area in 8th grade AND you have a 75 or above average in the class
  • H (Horizons): ONLY choose “H” if you are CURRENTLY in Horizons classes
  • AP = Advanced Placement (earn possible college credit by taking AP exam in the spring)
  • DC = Dual Credit (earn both high school credit and college credit for specific high school courses; specific entry requirements must be met before enrolling in a dual credit course)

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������Graduation Requirements

English

(4 credits required)

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Select English courses & levels for �all 4 years of high school

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9th – 10th Grade: Indicate a level for English I & II

(On-level, K, or H)

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11th Grade: Indicate a level for English III

(On-level, K, K/DC, H/DC, AP & H/AP)

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12th Grade: Indicate a level for English IV

(On-level, K, K/DC, H/DC, AP, H/AP)

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Social Studies

Graduation Requirements

3 credits required

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9th and/or 10th Grade

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  • Students have flexibility in determining the course & year of study in 9th/10th grade.

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  • Students have a CHOICE from the following:

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    • World Geography (On-level, K, or H)

Note: Students may substitute AP or H/AP Human Geography for World Geography but may not earn credit for both courses.

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OR

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    • World History (On-level, K, H, AP, or H/AP)

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*Students may substitute AP or H/AP Human Geography for World Geography but may not earn credit for both courses

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Social Studies

*World Geography or Human Geography AP

Grade 9 or 10

1 credit

*US History or US History AP

Grade 11

1 credit

*World History or World History AP

Grade 9 or 10

1 credit

*Government or Government AP

Grade 12

1/2 credit

*Economics or Macro Economics AP

Grade 12

1/2 credit

REQUIRED FOR All

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OR

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AND

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  • *Students may substitute AP or H/AP Human Geography for World Geography but may not earn credit for both courses

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

MATH

4 credits required

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REQUIREMENTS�

  • Algebra I – 8th or 9th Grade
        • On-level credit regardless of when taken
        • Required for all students
  • Geometry – (On-level, K, or H)
  • An additional math course +1 additional advanced math course
        • All Engineering (STEM) endorsements - must take Algebra II.
        • Algebra II must be taken to earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement (required to be eligible for the top 10% automatic admission to any Texas Public University and to be considered for the Texas Grant)

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Accounting II K & Robotics II K may count as math credits

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�OPTIONS FOR A STUDENT TAKING �8TH GRADE MATH THIS YEAR

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�OPTIONS FOR A STUDENT TAKING �ALGEBRA I THIS YEAR

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8th Grade

9th Grade

10th Grade

11th Grade

12th Grade

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Graduation Requirements

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Science

4 credits required

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Requirements

4 Science credits required for any endorsement

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  • 9th - Biology (On-level, K, or H)

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  • 10th - IPC, Chemistry, or Physics (or AP Physics I if completed or

concurrent enrollment in Algebra II)

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  • An additional science course

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  • +1 additional advanced science course

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    • All Engineering(STEM) endorsements - must take Biology, Chemistry, & Physics (or AP Physics I)

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    • Multidisciplinary Studies – Option 1 – 4 x 4 – must have Biology + Chemistry and/or Physics (or AP Physics I)

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Other�Required �Courses for Graduation� �

PACE

Health

LOTE/

Foreign Language

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PACE�Personal, Academic, and Career Exploration

    • Required semester course for ALL 9th graders
    • .5 credit (one semester)

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    • Designed to assist students in the transition from middle school to high school and build skills that will assist them with future transitions to college, adulthood and independence. Students will review and refine their 4-year plan and will actively work to develop a personalized plan for life success based on their career aspirations.

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Health

  • .5 credit required

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  • Can be paired with PACE

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  • May also be taken in any grade or

through correspondence, summer school,

or credit-by-exam

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  • Principles of Health Science

(1.0) will also satisfy the Health requirement

(recommended for those choosing the Public Services/Health Science endorsement) May be taken in grades 9-10

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LOTE/Foreign Language

  • 2 credits of the same foreign language
    • Spanish
    • French
    • German
    • Latin
    • American Sign Language (Cy-Ridge & Langham Creek only)
    • Computer Programming

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Other�Required �Courses for Graduation� �

Fine Arts

Physical Education

1 credit Fine Arts required

1 credit PE required

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Fine Arts

  • 1 credit required
    • (2 sequential semesters of the same course)
  • Course I may be taken in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th
    • (Band I and Orchestra I require playing experience)
  • Classes include:
    • Art
    • Music (Band, Choir, Orchestra)
    • Theater
    • Dance
    • Floral Design
      • (Required prerequisite or concurrent enrollment in Principles of Ag)

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FINE ARTS

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Physical Education�(or PE substitution)

  • 1 credit required
  • Can be taken in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
  • May earn a maximum of 2 credits in PE towards graduation
  • May earn up to 4 credits through off-campus PE, athletics, or AFROTC

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(1.0) P.E. Credit Options

Physical Education

PE Courses

  • Lifetime Fitness & Wellness Pursuits
  • Skill-based Lifetime Activities
  • Dance I (PE), Dance II (PE)

Note: Students may earn a maximum of 2 credits in PE toward graduation

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  • Athletics (Specify sport, may require tryouts)
  • Off-Campus PE (application/approval required)

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PE Substitutions

  • Air Force JROTC
  • Band I & Band II
  • Cheerleading I & II
  • Dance Team I or II
  • Band/Color Guard I & II

Note: Students may earn up to 4 credits of PE toward graduation through Athletics, Off-Campus PE or PE Substitutes

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Endorsements � & �Programs of Study

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�������Endorsements ��Students can choose from 5 Endorsement areas:

  1. Engineering (Formerly STEM)
  2. Business & Industry
  3. Public Services
  4. Arts & Humanities
  5. Multidisciplinary Studies

(Student Booklet – pages 12-13)

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Choosing an Endorsement & Option/Program of Study may seem overwhelming…

Explore career options in Xello

  • Mycfisd.net/Additional Resources/Xello SSO Student Access
  • Xello Dashboard� Explore Options� Careers

Click on More Filters/Career Clusters or School Subjects

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Remember that this is a plan. There will be an opportunity to make changes in high school.

Simply start by asking yourself a few questions:

*What are my interest, talents, and/or career aspirations?

*What are my post-secondary goals?

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Check out the CFISD CTE videos to learn more about some of the programs available here in our district.

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(Note: There are several different videos available)

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Programs of Study are a coherent sequence of CTE courses, industry-based certifications, & work-based learning designed to ensure students are prepared for in-demand, high-skill, high-wage careers. They also support the completion of an endorsement.

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Now…

1 – Select your Endorsement(s) (example: Public Service/ Education & Training)

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2 - Choose an Option or Program of Study (example: E&T 1 – Teaching & Training)

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3 – Use the list of courses provided to make your selections for each year

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4 – Add these courses to your 4-Year Plan

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Education & Training

Endorsement: Public Service

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Complete & Check Your 4-Year Plan

  • List High School credits earned in Middle School(Student Booklet – page 51)
  • Add Endorsement/Option/Program of Study
  • Circle the course name with level for required courses listed
  • Add Health, LOTE, Fine Arts, & PE requirements
  • List Alternate Electives for 9th Grade (1st & 2nd choice)

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EXAMPLE - PUBLIC SERVICES, E&T 1– TEACHING & TRAINING� �

Periods

High School Credits Earned in Middle School

9th Grade

10th Grade

11th Grade

12th Grade

1

 

English I

English II

English III

English IV

2

 

Math: Algebra I

Math: Geometry

Math: Algebra II

Math: College Algebra K

3

 

Biology

Science: Chemistry

Science: Physics

Science: Earth & Space

4

 

PACE (.5)/

Health (.5)

Principles of Education & Training

US History

Government (.5) &

Economics (.5)

5

 

Band I

Band II

Band III

Band IV

6

Spanish I

Spanish II

Spanish III K

Teacher Prep I

Teacher Prep 2

7

 

World Geography

World History

(2 Periods)

 

(2 Periods)

 

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If you have space available…

You may want to consider including:

 

  • Additional courses in any of the 4 core academic areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies)

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  • Additional courses from your Endorsement area

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  • Any of the courses listed in the Student Booklet – page 50

Course Title

Course #

Grade

Level (s)

Description

Professional Communications

(.5 credit)

06020

9-12

Develop effective interpersonal communication skills

Touch System Data Entry (Keyboarding) (.5 credit)

51220

9-12

Improve speed and accuracy on the keyboard

LeadWorthy (.5 credit)

 

60220

9-12

Activity-oriented course designed to develop personal responsibility, leadership, and professional skills through explicit social-emotional participatory learning experiences

Photojournalism (.5 credit)

08620

9-12

Introduces the world of photography and journalism;

must have your own digital camera

Principles of Education & Training

86423

9-11

Basic knowledge and skills needed for a career in education

Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness

(.5 credit)

85720

9-11

9th graders may enroll after taking Principles of Human Services or Principles of Hospitality & Tourism in middle school

Nutrition, digestion, calories/metabolism, diet-related diseases, food allergies, safety & sanitation in food preparation

Automotive Basics

93943

9-11

Basic repair, maintenance and servicing of vehicle systems

Business Information Management I

54623

9-12

Word processing, spreadsheets, multimedia presentations, databases, internet research, & emerging technologies

Journalism I

08123

9-12

Required prerequisite for Adv. Journalism I – Yearbook or Adv. Journalism I - Newspaper Writing, technology, visual, and electronic media are used as tools for learning as students produce effective communications

Debate I

06513

9-12

Required prerequisite for Debate II-IV

Study current events and logic while preparing and presenting arguments on a variety of controversial issues; participation in competitive speech and debate events is required

Intro to Cosmetology

94023

9-11

Hair style, manicures, skin care, make up, and other aspects of the personal care service industry

Digital Media

54543

9-12

Design and create multimedia projects using Adobe Photoshop; potential for certification

Child Development

85233

10-12

Child growth from prenatal through school-age children

Personal Financial Literacy

(.5 credit)

10400

10-12

Analyze earning and spending, saving & investing, credit & borrowing, insuring & protecting, and college & postsecondary education & training

Money Matters

53913

9-12

Bank record management, credit cards, investing, insurance and budgets

Creative & Imaginative Writing

(.5 or 1 credit)

09520

09523

10-12

Develop increased skill, creativity, and versatility as writers

ACT/SAT Prep (.5 credit)

00370

11-12

Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II

Provides students with strategies for college entrance exams

African-American Studies

14213

10-12

Focus on the historical and cultural contributions of African-Americans

Mexican-American Studies

14113

10-12

Focus on the historical and cultural contributions of Mexican-Americans

Psychology (.5 credit) or

Psychology AP (.5 credit)

13620

13650

11-12

Understanding the concept of human behavior, theories of personality, human growth & development

Sociology (.5 credit)

13420

11-12

Understanding of self and the society in which one lives

Street Law (.5 credit) or

(1 credit)

13720

13723

11-12

Court structure, criminal procedure, civil rights & other legal issues; criminal law one semester & civil law the other semester

World Area Studies K or H (.5) or

(1 credit)

14010

14113

11-12

Study of geography, culture, history, politics, and economic development of selected regions

PALs I

PALS II

60023

60123

11-12

Peer Assistance & Leadership program; work as a peer mentor with elementary, middle & high school age youth; effective training in resiliency strategies. Application required

College Readiness & Study Skills (.5 credit)

00340

12

Open to students who plan to attend post-secondary education; designed to help students transition into the post-secondary environment

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Helpful Resources for Parents can be found on our counseling website:

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https://sites.google.com/cfisd.net/salyardscounselors/home

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Kimberly Linder, 8th grade counselor

Kimberly.Linder@CFISD.NET

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