what course in high school can be taken in texas in lieu of foreign language credit

Texas has recognized that this can be very difficult or impossible for some students. These credits may be earned from any two levels in the same language; or two credits in computer programming languages selected from Computer Science I, II, and III. This applies to any student.

Full Answer

What are the requirements for dual language immersion in Texas?

The student must have participated in a dual language immersion program for at least five consecutive school years. The student must achieve high levels of academic competence as demonstrated by performance of meets or masters grade level on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) in English or Spanish, as applicable.

How many years of a foreign language do you take in college?

If a student took Spanish 1 in middle school, and then two more years in high school, stopping at Spanish 3, the college would count that as three years of a language. As always, there are a handful of colleges that will calculate ONLY the years taken in high school.

Are foreign students eligible to attend Texas public schools?

The U.S. Department of State may sponsor special government programs for foreign students that would not necessarily be listed in the Advisory List, but the students would be eligible to attend Texas public schools. 2.

Which foreign language should I take in 10th grade?

If you have not already taken a foreign language such as French or Spanish, consider starting your two-year program in 10th grade. Both credits must come from one language, for instance French I and French II. Taking Spanish I and French I will not satisfy this language requirement.

Does Texas require foreign language in high school?

Documentation is collected by Undergraduate Admissions to ensure this requirement is met. Students must complete either two years of the same foreign language in high school or two semesters in college to meet this requirement. Acceptable documentation could include high school transcripts, or college transcripts.

How many high school credits are required for foreign language in Texas?

two foreign language creditsThis new plan, referred to as the Foundation High School Program, requires 22 credits total to graduate, with four English/language arts credits, three mathematics credits, three science credits, three social studies credits, two foreign language credits, one physical education credit, one fine arts credit, and five ...

Does computer science count as a foreign language in Texas?

Texas is the only state in which, in addition to fulfilling a math credit, computer science can also fulfill a foreign language requirement. (Other states have considered such policies, but ultimately not passed legislation on them.)

Is foreign language required in high school?

Recommendations. In general, competitive colleges require at least two years of foreign language classes in high school.

Does Texas require foreign language?

The state of Texas requires a successful two-level minimum formal study of the same Language Other Than English (LOTE). In order to graduate on the distinguished plan, students must take a minimum consecutive three years of the same foreign language.

Does computer science count as a foreign language?

Although studying other languages is extremely valuable for secondary students, the language of computer science is, indeed, a foreign language. Learning Microsoft C# or studying Java in an introductory programming class requires acquisition of vocabulary just like a foreign language class.

Does AP computer science count as a language?

*Computer Science Also Counts as a Foreign Language: Combing any two of the following courses - AP Computer Science Advanced, AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Science Principles, or Game Design, satisfies the 2- unit foreign language requirement for high school graduation.

Does Rosetta Stone count for high school credit?

Each Rosetta Stone program equals about a year of high school study or a semester of college study. Rosetta Stone can be used to give credit for high school foreign language study or college study.

Does Texas A&M require foreign language?

Degree Information To understand the major cultures of the world as expressed in art, philosophy, politics or economy, it is necessary to know and appreciate languages other than one's native language. Therefore, some proficiency in a foreign language is also required to graduate from Texas A&M University.

What is the easiest language to learn in high school?

‍The clear winner from the 7 easiest languages to learn is Spanish. Everything from writing, grammar, and speaking will come more naturally to the English speaker. Similar rules, structure, and Latin roots.

What is the best language to take in high school?

8 best foreign languages to take in high schoolSpanish. We all know Spanish is every US school district's bread and butter, and is among the most practical, easiest languages to learn in high school. ... French. ... German. ... Mandarin. ... Arabic. ... Italian. ... Latin. ... American Sign Language.

What are Texas high school graduation requirements?

Students must successfully earn a minimum of 26 credits to graduate and also pass state tests. Be sure to check your school handbook for updates. The course credits required to graduate include: Language arts: 4 credits.

How many LOTE credits are required in Texas?

Texas law and TEA rules ( TAC 74.12 (b) (5)) allow exemptions to the requirement for two LOTE credits. Texas has recognized that this can be very difficult or impossible for some students.

Can you take two credits in the same language in Lote?

A student, who due to a disability, is unable to complete two credits in the same language in a LOTE, 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 for the LOTE credit requirements.

How many credits are required for AP in Texas?

In Texas, English has the highest number of required credits of any of the subjects. Two of these four credits must be filled by English I and II, while the third must be English III or one of the approved AP courses deemed comparable, and the last credit may be chosen from a list of eligible courses, of which two half credits may be an option.

How many credits are needed for foundation high school?

This new plan, referred to as the Foundation High School Program, requires 22 credits total to graduate, with four English/language arts credits, three mathematics credits, three science credits, three social studies credits, two foreign language credits, one physical education credit, one fine arts credit, and five electives.

How many courses are required for a multidisciplinary endorsement?

The multidisciplinary endorsement simply requires that four advanced courses in each of the four basic subjects are completed, or four AP, IB, or dual credit courses in any of the six subject areas, excluding physical education. Endorsements are viewed positively by colleges and universities.

How many credits are needed for endorsement?

For all endorsement programs, a fourth math credit and fourth science credit are required, and 26 academic credits are required in total.

What are the three courses required for a 3rd grader?

Options for the third credit include courses such as algebra II, precalculus, statistics, accounting , and more.

What are the requirements for a third credit in science?

Science requirements include biology, as well as a lab-based course, such as chemistry, physics, or principles of technology. The third credit is once again free to choose and may consist of two half credits. Among the nearly twenty topics available are aquatic sciences, astronomy, anatomy and physiology, and food science.

What classes are required for fine arts?

Classes eligible for the fine arts requirement include art, dance, music, music studies, theatre, musical theatre, technical theatre, floral design, digital arts and animation, and 3D modeling and animation. Electives may be chosen out of any of the available courses in any subject.

What is the passing score for students who have not had prior instruction?

The passing score for students who have not had any prior instruction is 80%. The passing score for students who have had prior instruction is 70%. Refer to TAC

Why were LOTE courses eliminated?

Some LOTE courses were eliminated in order to align with the currently approved educator certificates and certification rules. Districts must ensure that instructors are appropriately certified to teach any TEKS-based course.

Do you have to have two credits to get into LOTE?

Yes. Students receiving special education services must complete two credits of the same LOTE graduation requirements. Refer to TAC §89.1070 for further guidance on graduation requirements and modification for students receiving special education services.

Can I get an endorsement for a foundation high school?

Yes . As long as the student completes the Foundation High School Program requirements in a manner consistent with the rules established by the SBOE, the student may also complete an endorsement.

Can I take LOTE credits at elementary school?

Yes. In accordance with TEC §28.0051 and TAC §74.12(b)(5)(F), a student may satisfy one credit of the two LOTE credits required for graduation by successfully completing a dual language immersion program at elementary school.

Can a school district provide instruction?

Yes. A local school district may provide instruction in a variety of arrangements and settings. The local school district must ensure that the instructional materials used for a course address all the TEKS for the course and provide students the opportunity to demonstrate the required proficiency level upon completion of the course. Districts must ensure that instructors are appropriately certified to deliver course content.

Does Lote have a curriculum guide?

No. The state does not provide a state curriculum guide; however, the LOTE TEKS are the state standards that identify what students should know and be able to do after completing a LOTE course.

What is the passing score for students who have not had prior instruction?

The passing score for students who have not had any prior instruction is 80%. The passing score for students who have had prior instruction is 70%. Refer to TAC

Do you have to teach LOTE at grade 8?

Yes. In TAC §§74.2 and 74.3, districts are required to offer and teach the TEKS for LOTE at kindergarten through grade 8 to the extent possible. At grades 9-12, districts must offer Levels I, II, and III or higher of the same language in at least one language.

Do you have to have two credits to graduate from special education?

Yes. Students receiving special education services must complete two credits of the same language to meet graduation requirements. Refer to TAC §89.1070 for further guidance on graduation requirements and modification for students receiving special education services. (Also refer to question 20.)

Is there a substitution for LOTE?

No. There are no exceptions for the LOTE requirement. However, the State Board of Education (SBOE) has defined certain substitutions for this requirement based on student ability. These substitute courses are specified in TAC §74.12(b)(5)(C) and (E).

Can I take LOTE credits at elementary school?

Yes. In accordance with TEC §28.0051 and TAC §74.12(b)(5)(F), a student may satisfy one credit of the two LOTE credits required for graduation by successfully completing a dual language immersion (DLI) program at elementary school.

Can a school district provide instruction?

Yes. A local school district may provide instruction in a variety of arrangements and settings. The local school district must ensure that the instructional materials used for a course address all the TEKS for the course and provide students the opportunity to demonstrate the required proficiency level upon completion of the course. Districts must ensure that instructors are appropriately certified to deliver course content.

Does TEA have a curriculum guide?

No. The TEA does not provide a state curriculum guide; however, the LOTE TEKS are the state standards that identify what students should know and be able to do after completing a LOTE course.

How many credits are required for high school?

The system which the High School Foundation Program is replacing actually consists of three tracks with different sets of requirements. The Recommended High School Program, which a significant majority of students follow, mandates 26 credit hours in the following breakdown: four credits in English. four credits in math.

How many credits do you need to get a DLA?

The DLA endorsement can be earned by any student who completes the requirements for one or more endorsements: it requires four credits of math and four credits of science (both prerequisites for any endorsement) plus the completion of curricular requirements for at least one of the primary five endorsements.

How many credit hours are required for a DAP?

The basic academic track requires 22 credit hours, as compared to the 26 of the RHSP and DAP. However, if a student takes an endorsement – as a significant majority of students are expected to do – the additional curricular requirements bring the total back up to 26 credit hours.

How many credit hours does an arts and humanities endorsement take?

However, this does not apply equally for all endorsement subject areas, because every endorsement requires four credit hours of both math and science. So for instance, a student pursuing the Arts and Humanities endorsement could not choose to skip out on the fourth year of math or science.

How does the Foundation High School differ from the prior system?

The Foundation High School Program also differs somewhat from the prior system in the way it handles students at the edges of the bell curve. There are still provisions for high achievers and struggling students, but the form of these provisions has changed.

What are the requirements for high school?

The system which the High School Foundation Program is replacing actually consists of three tracks with different sets of requirements. The Recommended High School Program, which a significant majority of students follow, mandates 26 credit hours in the following breakdown: 1 four credits in English 2 four credits in math 3 four credits in science 4 four credits in social studies 5 two credits in a second language 6 one credit in PE 7 one credit in fine arts 8 one half credit in speech 9 five and one half credits in electives

What is the TEA page on House Bill 5?

The TEA page on House Bill 5 is a great place to learn more. It includes links to FAQs on the general requirements and the endorsements program, as well as documents which give further details on all aspects of the Foundation High School Program discussed above.

Can charter schools charge more than the tuition limit?

Districts and charter schools may not charge more than the commissioner-determined tuition without permission from the commissioner. A "Tuition Limits under the TEC, §25.0031" correspondence from the agency is issued at the beginning of the school year with tuition limit calculations for each school district.

Do you have to sign the FES before you arrive in the district?

An FES organization must follow protocol and have the district sign the School Acceptance Form for the FES prior to the student’s arrival in the district. However, if the student already resides in the district, the district must admit the student per Texas Education Code §25.001 (b) (6).

Can FES enroll in a different district?

An FES may enroll in a different district if the student is entitled to admission in that district under Texas Education Code §25.001 (b) (6), (b) (4), or another provision of Section 25.001. Return to Top. 9.

How many credits do you need to graduate high school in Texas?

Sophomore students in Texas must satisfy certain Texas graduation requirements before moving on to their junior year. The minimum graduation plan requires 22 credits total to complete high school and requires parental and principal approval. This means, at the minimum, you will need to earn 5.5 credits per grade level in high school to graduate. The standard recommended plan requires 26 credits in all to satisfy the requirements. On this graduation plan, you will need to earn 6.5 credits per grade level in high school.

How many electives are required for 10th grade in Texas?

Texas allows for 3.5 elective credits through your high school program. In your 10th grade year, you usually take two to three electives. Taking one or more elective credits per grade level in high school is recommended. These courses must be on the Texas Board of Education approved list. Some offerings are Art, Journalism and Photojournalism. Other options include Human Services, Health Sciences and Debate. Check with your high school to learn of the options available at your school.

House Bill 5: Foundation High School Program

The new Foundation High School Program became the default graduation program for all students entering ninth grade beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. Additional information about the Foundation High School Program is provided on the House Bill 5: Foundation High School Program webpage.

Senate Bill 30: Community Safety Education Act

Senate Bill (SB) 30, also known as The Community Safety Education Act, requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt rules to include the instruction developed under TEC, §28.012, in one or more courses in the required curriculum for students in grades 9-12.

Graduation Programs

Students who entered high school before the 2014-2015 school year have the option to graduate under the new Foundation High School Program or the existing Minimum High School Program (MHSP), Recommended High School Program (RHSP), or Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP).

How many years of high school do you need to learn a foreign language?

Generally, no. When a college says that they want a minimum of three years of a high school foreign language, that means that they want to see depth in one language. Sometimes, there are extenuating circumstances, like maybe the high school only offers two years of Mandarin, and the guidance counselor should address that in their letter ...

How many years of Spanish do you need to go to college?

If a student took Spanish 1 in middle school, and then two more years in high school, stopping at Spanish 3, the college would count that as three years of a language.

Can a college use a student's AP score?

If a student has taken the AP foreign language exam, the college may use the student’s score on that test to determine placement. Without AP test scores, and in some cases, even if they have those scores available, colleges will usually administer their own foreign language proficiency exam to determine proper course placement.

Can a native Spanish speaker take Spanish?

In that case, a native Spanish speaker could actually just take Spanish to fulfill their high school foreign language requirement. Some of the time, colleges only care about ...

Do colleges care about proficiency?

Some of the time, colleges only care about proficiency levels in the second language. So if a student can prove via an AP language test that they are proficient, that will be fine. More selective colleges will expect their applicants to take a language OTHER than their heritage (native) language in high school. 6.