All Weatherford ISD schools and facilities will be closed on Monday, July 6, in observance of Independence Day.
The District will resume its summer work schedule on Tuesday, July 7 (see box located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen).
Attention: New graduation requirements for public schools (please read)
Written by Derik Moore
Thursday, 02 July 2009
During
the 2009 spring legislative session, lawmakers passed House Bill 3 which
includes new requirements for graduation from public high schools. The
changes are effective immediate and will provide students with more flexibility
in elective course requirements for the Recommended High School Program.
Both the Recommended High School Program Plan (RHSP) and the Distinguished
Achievement Plan (RDP) still require four course credits for each of the core
subjects: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social
Studies.
The
changes include:
- RHSP—increase
in the number of electives to 6, requiring 1 credit of physical education, 2
credits of a language other than English, and 1 credit of fine arts
- DAP—increase
in the number of elective credits to 5, requiring 1 credit of physical
education, 3 credits of a language other than English, and 1 credit of fine
arts.
Minimum
High School Plan—Permission to graduate under the minimum high school program
must be agreed to in writing and signed by the student, student’s parent (or
other person standing in parental relation to the student), and a school
counselor or school administrator.
Changes
to the minimum high school program include:
- be
at least 16 years of age
- have
completed 2 credits required for graduation in each subject of the foundation curriculum;
or
- have
failed to be promoted to the 10th grade one or more times as
determined by the school district.
Students
already in the minimum high school program do not have to meet the HB3
requirements to enter the program, but must be given the choice of opting back
into the recommended high school program.
All
students are able to graduate under the HB3 high school graduation requirements
beginning in the 2009-2010 school year. A side-by-side comparison of the
Recommended High School Plan is attached.
Parents
who have questions or who want more information regarding the changes may
contact WeatherfordHigh School
at 817-598-2858 or the WISD Curriculum and Instruction department at 817-598-2804,
option 2.
Recommended High School Program
Graduation
Requirements Current – 26 credits
Graduation
Requirements HB 3 - 26 credits
English
Language Arts (4)
English I
English I
English II
English II
English III
English III
English IV
English IV
Social
Studies (4)
World History
World History
World Geography
World Geography
US History
US History
US Government /
Economics
US Government /
Economics
Mathematics
(4)
Algebra I
Algebra I
Geometry
Geometry
Algebra II
Algebra II
4th
mathematics; can be an advanced CTE course approved by SBOE – after completion
of Algebra II
4th mathematics
- can be an advanced CTE course approved by SBOE – after completion of
Algebra II
Science (4)
Biology
Biology
Chemistry / IPC
Chemistry / IPC
Physics or
Principles of Technology
Physics or
Principles of Technology
4th science;
can be an advanced CTE course approved by SBOE – after completion of Physics
4th science -
can be an advanced CTE course approved by SBOE – after completion of Physics
Enrichment /
Electives
( 6 ½
required + 3 ½ open)
(4 required
+ 6 open)
LOTE – 2
required in same language
LOTE – 2
required in same language
Fine Arts – 1
required
Fine Arts – 1
required
PE - 1½
required
PE – 1 required
Technology
Applications – 1 required
Technology
Applications
Health - ½
required
Health
Speech – ½
required
Speech
Career and
Technical Education
Career and Technical
Education
ELA, Math,
Science, or Social Studies electives
ELA, Math,
Science, or Social Studies electives
WHS Graduation
Written by Derik Moore
Tuesday, 02 June 2009
More than 440 Weatherford High School seniors participated in last night's graduation ceremony at the Tarrant County Convention Center. For additional photos of the event, please visit the WISD Photo Gallery (photo by DERIK MOORE).