High School 101 Understanding the Basics of Navigating High School - Freshman Parent Meeting

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Adam

High School 101 provides an overview for Monterey High School freshman parents on how students navigate graduation requirements and state testing. It explains what it takes to earn credits, maintain eligibility, and recover credits after failing a semester or required class. The meeting covers STAAR End of Course exams, retesting opportunities, and how readiness benchmarks can substitute for EOC after one unsuccessful attempt. It also outlines the Foundation graduation plan and endorsement options.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Starting With the Basics

What Does it Take to Graduate?

Earn Your Credits

Pass Your STAAR Tests (End of Course)

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Credits

Let’s Talk About STAAR Testing

Texas High School Foundation Graduation Plan

Building Your Graduation Plan

The Foundation (Ice Cream)

The Endorsements (Toppings)

Endorsement Options

High School 101 Understanding the Basics of Navigating High School Monterey High School, Freshman Parent Meeting Please let us know that you were here! “Alpha House” (our attempt to make a big school not feel quite so big) Starting With the Basics What Does it Take to Graduate? Earn Your Credits ▪ Default to the Distinguished Graduation Plan ▪ A minimum of 26 credits ▪ At least one endorsement ▪ Successful completion of Algebra 2 ▪ Credit can be denied for excessive absences Pass Your STAAR Tests (End of Course) ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ English 1 Algebra Biology English 2 US History Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Credits Credits are awarded at the semester. Algebra and Spanish taken in middle school count as high school credits. Grade Point Average is calculated using semester grades. If you fail a semester course, you have the opportunity to recover the credit if your yearlong average is 70 or higher. If you fail a required class (core or endorsement), you must retake the course (summer school or next year) in order to recover the credit. Missing more than 10% of a semester class can result in credit denial for excessive absences. Total credits determine your highschool ” “classification. Let’s Talk About STAAR Testing ▪ In high school, students take End of Course (EOC) exams. ▪ Students must pass all 5 exams in order to graduate. ▪ There will be multiple opportunities to retest. ▪ ARD committees will address participation requirements for students that are served by special education. ▪ Students that meet college readiness standards through SAT, ACT or TSI can substitute those scores for EOC after one unsuccessful attempt at EOC. ▪ STAAR tests do not determine promotion to the next grade. | Test Subject | Grade Level | | --- | --- | | English 1 | 9th grade | | Algebra | 8th or 9th grade | | Biology | 9th or 10th grade | | English 2 | 10th grade | | US History | 11th grade | Texas High School Foundation Graduation Plan Building Your Graduation Plan is Like Building Your Own Ice Cream Sundae ✔Increases flexibility in choosing targeted courses to help students plans for their future. ✔ Requires successful completion of at least one endorsement. ✔Students can opt into more than one endorsement.✔ Requires a minimum of 26 credits. ✔ Lubbock ISD defaults every student to the distinguished graduation plan. The Foundation (Ice Cream) The foundation of your graduation plan is enough to get you out of high school but might limit your options for higher education. • 4 credits of English • 3 credits of Math (Algebra, Geometry & Advanced Math) • 3 credits of Social Studies (World History or Geography, US History, Government, Economics) • 3 credits of Science (Biology, 1 lab based & Advanced Science) • 2 credits of Language Other Than English • 1 credit Fine Art • 1 credit of Physical Education • 5 credits of Electives A TOTAL OF 22 CREDITS The Endorsements (Toppings) Students earn at least 4 additional credits to complete an endorsement: • 1 additional math credit • 1 additional science credit • 2 additional elective credits A TOTAL OF 26 CREDITS Endorsement Options ✔ STEM (requires Chemistry, Physics & Algebra 2) ✔ Business & Industry ✔ Public Service ✔Arts & Humanities ✔Multidisciplinary

FAQs

How many credits are required to graduate under the plan described?

Students need a minimum of 26 credits. The Foundation totals 22 credits, and endorsements add at least 4 additional credits to reach 26.

What happens if a student fails a semester course or a required class?

Credit can be recovered if the student meets the yearlong average requirement of 70 or higher. If a required class is failed, the student must retake the course (summer school or the next year) to recover the credit.

Which STAAR End of Course exams must students pass to graduate?

Students take EOC exams and must pass all 5 exams to graduate. The testing section also notes multiple opportunities to retest and that STAAR tests do not determine promotion to the next grade.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Adam