SCHEDULING AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Plainview High School

View TEA’s complete PDF on the Texas First Diploma here:

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/graduation-information/state-graduation-requirements/texas-first-diploma-program-march-2024-session.pdf

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Texas Graduation Requirements

• 26 Total Credits
• 4 English
• 4 Math (must include Algebra II to be distinguished and top 10%)
• 4 Science
• 3 Social Studies (Multidisciplinary Endorsement - 4 X 4 plan must include a 4^th social studies)
• 2 Spanish
• 1 Fine Art
• 1 Physical Education
• 4 Credits that make up the endorsement
• Electives to make up the rest of the 26 credits
• **Students must also meet a CPR instruction requirement (usually through health), a Speech requirement (usually through English I), and a Peace Officer Interaction Training (led by a resource officer and usually done one day with a group).
• ** State law now requires all seniors in Texas to complete a Federal Application for Financial Services Assistance (FAFSA), which is what higher education institutions use to determine what financial assistance a student qualifies for in college/university/technical school. This application must be completed with the parents’ federal income tax information from the previous year.

Grade Point Average: Weighted and Unweighted

Unweighted GPA’s are used for college entrance and scholarships. They are done with a simple calculation of 4 points for every semester grade of “A”, 3 points for every semester grade of “B”, 2 points for every semester grade of “C” and 0 points for all other grades. Points are added and then divided by the number of semester grades. This is on your transcript.

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Weighted GPA’s are used for figuring class rank/top 10% per PISD policy.

Weighted GPA Chart for PHS

�**AP, Dual Enrollment & Dual Credit Courses are in the “HONORS” Category.

Difference in Accelerated, AP, Dual Enrollment & Dual Credit Courses:

AP Advanced Placement

Accelerated

Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment

• Rigorous curriculum and instruction challenge the students to expand their knowledge and skills in preparation for the college-level environment of AP courses and /or dual credit courses. Accelerated courses require more homework and faster-paced learning environment but provide greater opportunity to explore a subject in greater depth, with greater rigor.
• Weighted GPA but no college credit

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• The work level is more difficult and demanding than in Grade Level courses because they are designed to provide students with a college-level experience in high school.
• AP courses are weighted for the GPA and class rank purposes.
• Can take AP Exams to earn college credit

• A student may enroll in academic and/or technical courses for college credit before they graduate from high school. Students receive both high school and college credit.
• PHS students that meet qualification criteria may take courses through SPC, ASU, WBU or TSU
• Students are responsible for registering & paying if applicable

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Course Guide Information

• Go to www.plainviewisd.org
• Menu at the top and choose “Counselors” from the drop-down menu
• Scroll down to the Heading “Plainview High School Course Catalog” (English and Spanish Versions)

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English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Additional Requirements

Endorsements & Programs of Study

• An endorsement is a declared focus of at least four credits in the same area of study. All students need to graduate with an endorsement. Some courses may do double duty as part of the required courses and an endorsement. EX: All students must take two years of Spanish, but four years of Spanish would make up an endorsement in that area as well. Programs of Study is a term used with career technology courses. Students no longer take “random” courses. Courses should be done in progression, and the state highly encourages students to complete all courses in the Program of Study. These students are called, “Completers” and students, who for good reason cannot complete all courses, but do complete some, are called, “Concentrators.” The PISD goal is to have all CTE students be “Completers”.

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• ENDORSEMENTS
• STEM: Option A – CTE must include Alg II, Chemistry, and Physics: 4 CTE courses in the same Program of Study
• STEM: Option C – Math; 5 math credits including Alg II + Chemistry and Physics
• STEM: Option D – Science; 5 science credits including Chemistry and Physics + Alg II

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Public Services: Option B & Other Non- CTE Endorsements

• Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
• ROTC 1
• ROTC 2
• ROTC 3
• ROTC 4
• Arts and Humanities Endorsement
• Option A: Social Studies
• Five credits in social studies. Courses include World Geography, World History, US History, Government/Economics, Sociology or Psychology or Personal Financial Literacy (DC Social Studies can replace these).
• Option B: Foreign Language
• Four credits in the same foreign language: Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish 3 Accelerated, & AP Spanish 4
• Multidisciplinary Endorsement
• Option B: 4X4
• Four credits in each core area: English, Science, Math, Social Studies (Must include English IV and Chemistry or Physics
• Option C: Advanced Placement or Dual Credit
• Four credits in Advanced Placement or Dual Credit courses

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Endorsements with Programs of Study

• Business and Industry: Option A – CTE
• Programs of Study
• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
• 1. Animal Science
• Principles of AFNR
• Equine Science and Small Animal Management
• Livestock & Poultry Production
• Advanced Animal Science ** (DE)
• 2. Plant Science
• Principles of AFNR
• Greenhouse Operation & Production
• Floral Design**
• Advanced Plant & Soil Science ** or
• Advanced Floral Design **

Business and Industry: Agriculture Continued

• 3. Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems
• Principles of AFNR
• Agriculture Mechanics and Metal Technologies
• Agriculture Structures Design & Fabrication
• Agriculture Power Systems (2 periods)

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• 4. Manufacturing Welding
• Introduction to Welding
• Welding I (2 periods)
• Welding II (2 periods) **
• Career Prep (Optional)** or
• Practicum in Welding (2 periods - Optional)**

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Business and Industry CTE Continued

• Culinary Arts
• Intro to Culinary
• Culinary Arts 1 (2 periods)
• Advanced Culinary Arts (2 periods)**
• Career Prep (Optional)** or
• Practicum in Culinary Arts (2 periods- Optional)**

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• Business Management
• Business Information Management I
• Business Information Management II
• Human Resource Management and Global Business
• Career Prep** or
• Business Management

Public Services: Option A CTE

• Family and Community Services
• Principles of Human Services
• Human Growth and Development
• Counseling and Mental Health**
• Career Prep Program of Study

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• Law Enforcement
• Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security
• Law Enforcement 1
• Correctional Services** &/or Counseling & Mental Health
• Forensic Science** or

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Public Services: Option A

• Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services (Vaccination Required)
• Principles of Health Science
• Medical Terminology
• Health Science Theory and/or
• Anatomy and Physiology**
• Practicum in Health Science [CNA] (2 periods)** or
• Pharmacology (1 period)
• Exercise Science and Wellness
• Principles of Exercise Science and Wellness or Principles of Health Science
• Kinesiology I
• Kinesiology II &/or Anatomy and Physiology &/or Health Science Theory
• Career Prep** (Could be optional if 4 of the above are completed)

STEM: Web Development

• Principles of Information Technology
• Computer Science I
• Web Design**
• Career Prep** or Independent Study in Evolving/Emerging Technologies**

Scheduling Processes

• Our scheduling processes have changed to involve parents, directly, in the educational decision-making of their student. The state has moved in the direction of greater parent empowerment through recent legislation. Parents should be partners in making decisions for their students.
• Students submit course requests in the spring, and the MASTER SCHEDULE at the high school is based on those student requests. This is why students are not always able to change schedules during a school year. Sometimes courses do not fit into the student’s schedule, so alternate courses must be used. Sometimes programs or sections of courses are full, and it is not possible to add students to those classes. Staffing issues and/or a low number of course requests can cause PHS to not offer a course during a given school year.
• Counselors will schedule in parts: 1) We have a parent information meeting (this one). 2) Counselors present the information for the next year to students with a copy of their 4- year plans/requests through English or World History classes. 3) Parents (legal guardians listed in Skyward) will make an appointment to meet with your student’s counselor individually using the link or QR code provided. 4) After meeting with the counselor, schedules and 4-year plans will be updated in Xello. 5) After that is finished, parents and students will be able to view their schedule requests and the 4-year plans by logging into Xello. 6) Changes beyond that point will require a parent meeting. 7) Schedules will not be changed after March 7^th at 4 P.M. due to the deadline for creation of the master schedule for next school year.

Dates to Make Your Appointment

Juniors - January 23rd, 24th, & 27th

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Sophomores - January 30th, 31st, Feb. 3rd

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Freshmen - February 6th, 7th 10th & 11th

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8th grade- February 26th, 27th, 28th

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Please note: the parent/guardian listed in Skyward must be the one to attend the scheduling appointment with their student.

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Links to Make Your Appointment

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Scheduling for

GAUNTT (A-D):

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Juniors: January 23rd, 24th & 27th

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Sophomores: January 30th, 31st & February 3rd

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Freshmen: February 6th, 7th, 10th & 11th

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Links to Make Your Appointment

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Scheduling for

MARTIN (E-Le):

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Juniors: January 23rd, 24th & 27th

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Sophomores: January 30th, 31st & February 3rd

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Freshmen: February 6th, 7th, 10th & 11th

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Links to Make Your Appointment

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Scheduling for

SWEENEY (Li-Ra):

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Juniors: January 23rd, 24th & 27th

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Sophomores: January 30th, 31st & February 3rd

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Freshmen: February 6th, 7th, 10th & 11th

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Links to Make Your Appointment

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Scheduling for

MORALES (Re-Z):

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Juniors: January 23rd, 24th & 27th

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Sophomores: January 30th, 31st & February 3rd

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Freshmen: February 6th, 7th, 10th & 11th

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WHO TO SEE FOR CHANGES:

• PHS Counselors:
• Last Names Beginning A-D: Mrs. Gauntt
• Last Names Beginning E-LE: Mrs. Martin
• Last Names Beginning Li-Ra: Mrs. Sweeney
• Last Names Beginning Re-Z: Mrs. Morales

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