4x4 Graduation Requirements Update
Monica G. Martinez Division of Curriculum Texas Education Agency
House Bill 1
79th Texas Legislature 3rd Called Session
SECTION 5.02. Section 28.025, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: (b-1) The State Board of Education by rule shall require that: (1) the curriculum requirements for the recommended and advanced high school programs under Subsection (a) include a requirement that students successfully complete four courses in each subject of the foundation curriculum under Section 28.002(a)(1); and (2) one or more courses offered in the required curriculum for the recommended and advanced high school programs include a research writing component.
4x4 Graduation Requirements
Effective beginning with students who enter Grade 9 in 2007
House Bill 1
79th Texas Legislature 3rd Called Session
English English English English English Language Arts and Reading I II III IV
Social Studies U.S. History World History World Geography U.S. Government/Economics
Credit Requirements
26 Credits for Graduation under both Recommended and Distinguished Achievement Programs
Mathematics Recommended Program
Mathematics—four credits. The credits must consist of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and a fourth mathematics course.
Mathematics Recommended Program
Precalculus Independent Study in Mathematics AP Statistics AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC AP Computer Science IB Mathematical Studies Subsidiary Level IB Mathematical Methods Subsidiary Level IB Mathematics Higher Level IB Advanced Mathematics Subsidiary Level
Concurrent enrollment in college mathematics courses;
Mathematical Models with Applications
Mathematics Recommended Program
If selected, Mathematical Models with Applications must be taken prior to Algebra II.
The SBOE may designate additional courses at a later point in time.
Mathematics
Distinguished Achievement Program
Mathematics—four credits. The credits must consist of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and an additional SBOE approved mathematics course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite.
Mathematics
Distinguished Achievement Program
Precalculus Independent Study in Mathematics AP Statistics AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC IB Mathematical Studies Subsidiary Level IB Mathematical Methods Subsidiary Level IB Mathematics Higher Level IB Advanced Mathematics Subsidiary Level Concurrent enrollment in college mathematics courses;
Science Recommended Program
Science – four credits. One credit must be a biology credit (Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology). Students must choose the remaining two credits from the following areas. Not more than one credit may be chosen from each of the areas to satisfy this requirement.
(A) Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC); (B) Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry; and (C) Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics, or IB Physics
Science Recommended Program
IPC cannot be taken as the final or fourth year of science, but must be taken before the senior year of high school. The fourth year may be selected from the laboratory-based courses listed in 19 TAC Chapter 112 with the addition of Engineering and Earth and Space Science.
The SBOE may designate additional courses at a later point in time.
Recommended Program IPC Phase-out
A student entering Grade 9 beginning with the 20122013 school year must take three science credits at least one from each category, from the following areas: (A) Biology, AP Biology, IB Biology (B) Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry; (C) Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics, or IB Physics
The fourth year of science may be selected from the laboratory-based courses listed in 19 TAC Chapter 112
Recommended Program Fourth Year Science Courses
Astronomy Aquatic Science Environmental Systems Earth and Space Science AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics B AP Physics C AP Environmental Science IB Biology IB Chemistry IB Physics IB Environmental Systems
Scientific Research and Design Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems Medical Microbiology and Pathophysiology Engineering
Concurrent enrollment in college courses The SBOE has directed the TEA to write new TEKS for the courses in red
Science
Distinguished Achievement Program
Science—four credits. The credits must consist of a biology credit (Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology), a chemistry credit (Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry), a physics credit (Physics, AP Physics, or IB Physics), and an additional approved laboratory based science course.
* Principles of Technology deleted
Science
Distinguished Achievement Program
After successful completion of biology, chemistry, and physics a student may select the fourth credit from the following courses:
Earth and Space Science; Environmental Systems; Aquatic Science; Astronomy; Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems; AP/IB Biology; AP/IB Chemistry; AP/IB Physics; AP Environmental Science; IB Environmental Systems Scientific Research and Design; and Engineering
www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum
www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/fourbyfour.html
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Join TEA curriculum related listservs for information. www.tea.state.tx.us/list
Bilingual/ESL Education Career and Technology Education ELA-Reading Gifted/Talented Education Mathematics Science Social Studies Texas Reading Initiative Texas Reading First Initiative To the Administrator Addressed
Contact Us
Monica G. Martinez, Curriculum Director monica.martinez@tea.state.tx.us Division of Curriculum (512)463-9581 www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum curric@tea.state.tx.us