The Texas Legislature enacted a new graduation plan, the Foundation High School Program (FHSP), in the spring of 2013 that became effective beginning in the fall of 2014. Students who enter grade 9 for the first time in the fall semester of 2014 or after MUST select one of the three Foundation Graduation Plans: the Distinguished Level of Achievement Foundation Plan, the Foundation Plan with Endorsement, or the Basic Foundation Plan. The only difference between the Foundation Plan with Endorsements and the Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) Foundation Plan (with Endorsements) is that the DLA requires Algebra II, which is a course that most colleges strongly prefer. For this reason, the DLA is the preferred Foundation Plan.
The Foundation High School Program (FHSP) requires any two credits of the same language or two from Computer Science I, II, and III, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, IB Computer Science Standard Level, and IB Computer Science Higher Level. Note that some colleges do not accept Computer Science as a LOTE course. If after completing the first credit in LOTE or Computer Science, the student demonstrates that he or she is unlikely to be able to complete the second credit, the student may substitute another appropriate course, such as a different language course, World History or World Geography (that is beyond the four required social studies credits), Computer Science, or the Special Topics in Language and Culture course.
A student who due to a disability is unable to complete two credits of the same language in LOTE or Computer Science, may substitute:
• A combination of two credits from English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies, or
• Two credits in career and technical education or technology applications.
The determination regarding a student’s disability to complete the LOTE credit requirements will be made by:
• The student’s ARD committee if the student receives special education services, or
• The committee established for the student under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
According to Texas Administrative Code §74.12 and §74.13, there are specific courses that a student may select for each content area level. A course completed as part of the set of four courses needed to satisfy an endorsement requirement may also satisfy a requirement under the Foundation High School Program (FHSP), including an elective requirement. Note that there is nothing in rule or law that delineates a specific sequence; however, students and parents should pay close attention to the prerequisites for each of these courses.
Round Rock ISD requires four credits in social studies. These four credits must include:
• World Geography and/or World History. Note that AP Human Geography may substitute for World Geography and that AP World History may substitute for World History. AP European History is an elective credit and cannot substitute for World History.
• U.S. History or AP U.S. History
• U.S. Government or AP U.S. Government and Politics. Note that AP Comparative Government is an elective credit and cannot substitute for the required U.S. Government.
• Economics or AP Microeconomics or AP Macroeconomics
The following courses may not be offered at every Round Rock ISD campus.
Grade Level Classifications
Grade classifications are based on the number of credits actually completed prior to the first day of the school year. Students are not reclassified during the school year except for:
• Fourth year juniors who have 21 credits and are on track to graduate, and
• Third year sophomores, who have at least 14 credits and have passed the four core area classes during the fall semester and may be re-classified as juniors.
Freshman: A student must have been promoted from the 8th grade.
Sophomore: A student must have satisfactorily completed 6 credits and one year of high school.
Junior: A student must have satisfactorily completed 12 credits and two years of high school.
Senior: A student must have satisfactorily completed 18 credits and three years of high school or have completed 18 credits and have an Early Graduation Plan on file.