HSCG-Program Guidelines
Advanced Placement Program
The College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Program gives students an opportunity to seek college-level studies while still in high school. Enrollment in AP courses enhances entry into major colleges and universities, especially for students who are interested in highly selective colleges/universities. Pre-AP courses prepare students for the rigor of the AP course. Taking AP courses demonstrates to college admission officers that students have attempted the most rigorous curriculum available at their high school.
AP courses are open to all students with the prerequisite coursework who wish to take challenging college level course work. Courses are available in English, mathematics, science, social studies, computer science, languages other than English, music theory and art.
AP course descriptions and AP exams are prepared by College Board Development Committees, which include college and university professors and experienced AP teachers throughout the world. AP Exams take two or three hours, depending upon the credit, contain both multiple-choice questions and free-response questions (except art courses requiring portfolios), are scored by computer, and evaluated by faculty consultants, college professors, and AP teachers.
Students must take the AP exam and earn a qualifying score to earn college credit, but the amount and possibility depend on the specific college policies. Students can use the College Board’s AP Credit Policy Search tool to check which scores are accepted (most accept scores of 3 or higher).
Each exam is scored on the following five-point scale:
5 – Extremely well qualified
4 - Very Well Qualified
3 – Qualified
2 – Possibly qualified
1 – No recommendation
Entering college with credit through AP can save students time and money—for example, you might be able to skip introductory courses or even graduate early.
AP Courses and Exams
Offered in PISD High Schools
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Art |
Art History, 2-D Art and Design, 3-D Art and Design, Drawing |
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Computer Science |
Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles |
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Economics |
Macroeconomics |
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English |
English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition |
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World Languages |
French Language, German Language, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature |
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Government |
United States Government and Politics |
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History |
European History, United States History, World History, Human Geography |
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Mathematics |
AP PreCalculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics |
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Music |
Music Theory |
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Psychology |
Psychology |
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Science |
Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C-Mechanics, Physics C-Electricity and Magnetism |
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AP Capstone |
Seminar, Research |
Other Options for Earning High School Credit
Distance Learning
Distance learning and correspondence courses include courses that encompass the state-required essential knowledge and skills, but are taught through multiple technologies and alternative methodologies such as mail, satellite, Internet, video-conferencing, and instructional television. The distance learning opportunities that the district makes available to district students are University of Texas, Texas Tech University, Pasadena ISD Virtual School and Texas Virtual School Network.
If a student wishes to enroll in a correspondence course or a distance learning course in order to earn credit in a course or subject, the student must receive permission from the School Counselor prior to enrolling in the course or subject. If the student does not receive prior approval, the district may not recognize and apply the course or subject toward graduation requirements or subject mastery.
Credit by Examination
Without Prior Instruction
Most academically exceptional students will find the district gifted/talented program and advanced classes provide appropriate challenges for their academic needs. However, the district also offers students the opportunity to accelerate through credit by examination for the applicable course or grade where the student has received no prior instruction. Students must score 80% or above on an approved examination for the applicable course or grade.
Exam Administration Guidelines
Pasadena ISD recognizes the results of tests acquired from Texas Tech University, the University of Texas at Austin, and district created tests. The exam must be administered under the supervision of the district and the following guidelines apply:
The student’s counselor will approve the student as eligible to apply for credit by examination upon request by the student and/or parent.
The score on the examination will be recorded and credit will be earned on the examination if the student scores 80% or higher (no prior instruction).
Exam scores are recorded on the student’s transcript if credit is awarded. Student athletes must be aware that NCAA does not recognize credits earned through Credit by Examination.
Credit by Examination for World Language courses are scheduled four times a year. All others are scheduled by appointment only with the department of Advanced Academics.
Dual Credit Program
Pasadena Independent School District and San Jacinto College (Central and South) offer dual credit opportunities for eligible high school students.
The following guidelines apply to dual credit students:
All Dual Credit courses must be approved by the student’s high school College Now Coordinator or counselor prior to enrolling at SJC.
The Dual Credit Course Approval Form must be completed and signed by the student, his/her parent, and his/her College Now coordinator prior to registering at SJC.
Pasadena ISD Bus transportation will be provided for students enrolled in the morning & afternoon sections of dual credit. Students registering for classes outside of this time may be required to provide their own transportation to and from the college.
All Pasadena ISD students must schedule their dual credit courses so that they are on their high school campus and attending a class at the district’s official Average Daily Attendance (ADA) reporting time at 9:30 AM.
- All dual credit tuition, fees and textbooks are the responsibility of the student. Dual credit students receive a tuition discount. Students who qualify for the FAST (Financial Aid for Swift Transfer) program will have their tuition, fees, and books paid for.
- Students may not enroll in a dual credit course that conflicts with the high school schedule.
- Premium points are awarded for selected dual credit courses.
- Students are responsible for ensuring that all dual credit courses will transfer to the four year university that he/she plans to attend.
- Dual credit grades are recorded on the high school transcript according to the Pasadena ISD Grade Point Average chart (see pages 17-19 in this document). High school transcripts will indicate that the credit was earned in a dual credit program.
- Dual credit students who do not maintain passing scores in courses may be removed from the dual credit program.
- When a student turns 18 years old or enrolls in an institution of higher learning at any age, all rights afforded to you as a parent under FERPA transfer to the student.
- Academic Freedom allows faculty and students to pursue any subject matter they feel is important and to speak about it in the classroom without fear of censorship.
All approved dual credit courses are listed on the following San Jacinto College Dual Credit Course Approval Form. This form is available in your counselor or College Now coordinator’s office.
Meningitis Vaccine Requirements
The 82nd Texas Legislature requires that all incoming Texas college students must receive a vaccination or booster against bacterial meningitis.
Who:
The vaccine is required for all new students ages 22 and under attending any institution of higher education (including dual credit students attending San Jacinto College).
What:
The student or parent or guardian of the student must provide a certificate signed by a health practitioner or an official immunization record showing the student has received the bacterial meningitis vaccination or booster during the five-year period prior to enrollment, and not less than ten days before the first day of classes. Two ways to receive the meningitis vaccination are either through a private physician’s office or clinic, or through a public clinic, such as Harris County Health Department clinics.
Early College High School
Pasadena ISD Early College High Schools provide students with a seamless pathway from high school to college. Students take college courses along with their high school classes, which give them the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree from San Jacinto College.
In ECHS, students begin taking two college classes in ninth grade and progress by taking more college classes each year. By their senior year, most students are nearly finished with their high school requirements and are ready to focus on a full college schedule.
Pasadena ISD has a “school within a school model,” and each comprehensive high school has its own respective ECHS campus. Freshmen and sophomores take their college classes on the comprehensive high school campus, and juniors and seniors take classes at San Jacinto College.
Pasadena Virtual Education
Edgenuity
Edgenuity is a content provider with an internet-based Learning Management System designed to provide students with the opportunity to earn high school credits through online instruction. Students are assigned a virtual learning lab manager to assist them with course progress. Students may request tutoring from a campus teacher when needed. Edgenuity courses are most often assigned for credit recovery when a student fails to demonstrate mastery in a traditional classroom. Edgenuity credit recovery courses are closely aligned to the district curriculum and are designed to be completed in approximately nine weeks. Edgenuity may also be taken for initial credit on a limited basis and for test preparation (SAT, ACT, and TSIA). Contact the campus counseling office for more information.
Pasadena Virtual School
Pasadena Virtual School is proud to offer a wide range of programs of study and endorsements to help students achieve their academic and career goals. Current offerings include:
Endorsements
• Multidisciplinary
• Arts & Humanities
• Business & Industry
• STEM
• Public Service
Performance Acknowledgements
• Dual Credit
• Bilingualism/Biliteracy
• Advanced Placement
• ACT or SAT
Programs of Study
• Complete an online registration
• Marketing & Sales
• Business & Entrepreneurship
• Graphic Design & Interactive Media
• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity
• Biomedical Science
• Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services
Additional courses will be introduced throughout the year to provide even more opportunities for learning and growth. For the most up-to-date information, please visit https://virtualschool.pasadenaisd.org