TEXAS SCHOLARS

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brochure in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.

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Texas Scholars is a community-driven effort to motivate all Pasadena ISD's students to complete the state Recommended High School Program or District Distinguished Achievement Program. This course of study, which includes math, science, social studies, language arts and languages other than English (foreign language), will prepare students with the academic foundation in high school to succeed 
in whatever they choose.

How Students Benefit

Today's students face tougher testing standards for graduation. The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, which is based on tougher state curricula, covers more subjects, is administered at more grade levels and include more difficult content than the TAAS. The 11th grade exit exam is comprised of 11th grade English, language arts and writing, algebra and geometry, biology, integrated physics and chemistry, and social studies, including early American history. Texas Scholars are well-prepared to pass and even master all of these exams.

Each high school student will need higher education and technical skills to begin any successful career. Successful Texas Scholars should get the academic skills they need in high school, so they will not need remedial courses in community college, university of trade and technical school. In addition, by completing the Recommended Program, students who meet the family income requirement become eligible for the TEXAS Grant, a tuition and fees scholarship from the state of Texas, for use at any public or private two- or four-year Texas higher education institution.

The benefits include:

• The chance to be accepted by a recognized college/university
• Acquiring advanced skills
• Improving your decision-making and critical thinking skills
• Opportunities for placement with higher salaries in the job market locally and internationally

Major Elements:

In Texas Scholars, local educators and employers will:

• Stress the value of completing at least the Recommended Program.
• Provide opportunities for employers to speak to all 8th and 9th or 10th grade students and their parents to ensure they schedule the courses that comprise the Recommended Program.
• Establish a collaboration between public school educators, higher education, and employers to ensure that high school academic and technical course content will prepare students for their next step after graduation.
• Recognize Texas Scholars during graduation activities.

Texas Scholars/Recommended High School
Program Course Requirements

It's easy to become a Texas Scholar! Just pass the courses in the state-recommended high school program with a "C" average and graduate from high school.

For specific rules related to the Recommended High School Program required courses, please refer to section 74.12 of the Texas Administrative Code or our web page http://www.tbec.org/texas_scholars.html

Notes:

• Students are encouraged to use their electives to complete an additional math course and an additional laboratory science course.

• The above requirements represent the State Recommended High School Program (RHSP) as it applies to students entering 9th grade in the 2001-2002 school year and thereafter. For students entering 9th grade before 2001-2002, follow the RHSP requirements in place for their specific graduating class.

• Students completing a Texas Education Agency approved Tech-Prep program would meet the RHSP and Texas Scholars criteria as long as the Tech-Prep program meets the 20.5 credit core course requirements of the RHSP and provide the equivalent of a 24-credit program.

• Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment courses may be substituted for requirements in appropriate proficiency areas.

• Each course counts as either a 1 or 0.5 credit regardless of the time needed for completion.

For more information about the Texas Scholars Program, see your school counselor.

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