Graduation Requirements

Federal and State Compliance: 713-556-6731

All students must earn 24 credits to graduate from high school, except those students entering the ninth grade in or after 2007–2008, who must earn 26 credits to graduate in the Recommended Program or Distinguished Achievement Program. In addition to completing all course requirements, students must pass the appropriate state-approved exit-level assessment. Students are required to pass the exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) by the eleventh grade. In addition, they are automatically enrolled in the Recommended High-School Program; but, students can change to other plans with the approval of their parents and school administration.

For details about particular course credits, consult your high-school counselor or call the Department of Counseling and Guidance at 713-556-7019

Grading and Report Cards

Federal and State Compliance: 713-556-6731

Grade Classification

In high school, a student’s total credits determine the student’s classification—i.e., what grade level or “year” the student is in. Board of Education policy concerning classification is described in HISD Board Policy EIE(LOCAL).

Grades and Extracurricular Activities

Under the state’s “no pass/no play” law, eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities during the first six weeks of the school year is determined by a student’s grades from the final grading cycle of the previous school year or the number of credits earned during the previous school year. After the first six weeks, a student who receives a grade lower than 70 (or the equivalent) in any academic course is ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities during the first three school weeks of the next grading period. During that time the student may continue to practice or rehearse with other students but may not take part in any competition or public performance.

Elementary schools (and certain secondary schools) send report cards to parents four times during the year, shortly after the end of each nine-week grading period: November 4, January 13, March 31, and May 27 (elementary and middle schools) and June 2 (high schools).

Most middle schools and high schools (and certain elementary schools) send report cards to parents six times during the year, shortly after the end of each six-week grading period: October 14, November 18, January 14, March 3, April 21, and May 27 (elementary and middle schools) and June 2 (high schools). Certain middle schools and high schools, however, observe nine-week grading periods; see the schedule for elementary schools above. If a student is not progressing satisfactorily, parents receive a preliminary report at the midpoint of the grading period and at other times as necessary. Parents must sign and return the reports.

Texas Scholars

The Texas Scholars Program is a joint effort between school districts and the business community to demonstrate the vital link between a strong academic foundation and success in the workplace. Key to the success of the program are the presentations given by experienced business professionals to eighth-,  ninth-, and tenth-grade students, which emphasize that completing the Texas Scholars curriculum (officially known as the Recommended High School Program) better prepares them for college, technical school, or the workplace.

The Texas Scholars curriculum, which is more demanding than the district’s Core Program (or basic curriculum), became HISD’s standard curriculum in spring of 2001, one year before the state required the same for all students in Texas. Prior to that time, the RHSP was a voluntary diploma option.

For more information, visit the HISD Community Engagement web site.

CLEAR (Clarifying Learning to Enhance Achievement Results)

The district’s curriculum, known as CLEAR, clarifies and makes more specific the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the official curriculum of the state of Texas. The CLEAR curriculum is not only aligned to the statewide assessment, TAKS—it actually goes beyond the testing requirements. Developed by the HISD Curriculum Department beginning in 1997-1998, the CLEAR curriculum provides all teachers with a clear understanding of what their students need to know and be able to do by the end of each grade level and/or course.

For more information about CLEAR, please visit the HISD Curriculum Department Web site.