Future You

House Bill 5 was approved during the 2013 Texas Legislative session, providing a broad spectrum of changes for school districts in the areas of curriculum, assessment, accountability and higher education. House Bill 5 reduces the number of STAAR end-of-course tests required for graduation and significantly changes high school graduation plans currently offered by Mansfield ISD. The State Board of Education has offered recommendations for implementing the new law which will take effect for the 2014-2015 school year.

Career Cruising is an outstanding support tool for our Future You students and will assist students, parents and counselors as they plan for their future.

What are some of the big changes involving House Bill 5?

HB5 establishes and offers more flexibility by creating a traditional pathway for students pursuing entry into a college or university after graduation or preparing graduates for entry into the workforce. The Bill dramatically reduces the number of End-Of-Course exam requirements from 15 to 5 and eliminates the 15% requirement that each exam counts towards final grade calculation.

What is required to graduate under House Bill 5?

Students must pass the 5 STAAR end-of-course exams in Algebra I, English I & II, Biology, and US History. Students who don’t pass the required EOC exams will have an opportunity to re-test on the exam. The new Foundation Plan replaces the Minimum, Recommended and Distinguished graduation plans previously offered by MISD. All students will graduate under the Foundation Plan with an endorsement beginning with the 2014-2015 Freshman class.

What about current high school students already on the old graduation plans?

Students currently on the established Minimum, Recommended and Distinguished graduation plans will continue taking courses geared towards completing the graduation requirements of their original plan. With House Bill 5, students have multiple options to consider when looking at graduation plans. Under the MISD Foundation Plan, students will need 26 total credits to graduate; 4 credits in English, 3 in Math, 3 in Social Studies, 3 Science credits, 0.5 credit of Professional Communications, 0.5 credit in Health, a Fine Arts credit, 2 in Foreign Language, 1 PE credit and 8 Elective credits.

Students wishing to graduate with an Endorsement must earn 4 credits under that particular Endorsement category to qualify. It should be noted, many colleges and universities seek high school graduates with an Endorsement when accepting applicants. Additionally, to be considered for the Top 10% Rule, students must graduate with an Endorsement AND complete Algebra II.

What happens if I don’t like the Endorsement I’ve chosen?

This is the flexibility offered by the Foundation Plan. Students have the option of moving between Endorsements to ensure they find the right fit for their own future. Campus counselors can assist students with questions about endorsements.