DEPARTMENT: Department of Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Resolution Supporting the Adoption of the Distinguished Level of Achievement Under the Foundation High School Program as a Default High School Graduation Path
SUMMARY:
A resolution of the San Antonio City Council supporting San Antonio area school districts and charter schools in adopting the Distinguished Level of Achievement as a default component of high school graduation plans, beginning in the 2014 - 2015 school year, as recommended by the Educational Excellence Committee.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On June 10, 2013, certain provisions of House Bill 5 of the 83rd Texas Legislature regarding high school graduation requirements went into effect. House Bill 5 worked to reduce the number of state mandated assessments required for high school graduation, added district accountability indicators, and replaced the current graduation plans (Minimum, Recommended, and Distingushed) with the following: Foundation, Foundation plus Endorsement, and Foundation plus Endorsement with a Distinguished Level Of Achievement. It is critical that families, students and community members have adequate information to navigate the new curriculum options and that high schools continue to equip students for postsecondary success.
On March 18, 2014, the Educational Excellence Committee received a briefing by ¡PRESENTE!, the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) on House Bill 5 and the impact on local schools as they work to implement its requirements.
ISSUE:
This resolution supports adoption of the Distinguished Level of Achievement as a default component of high school graduation plans in local independent school districts and charter schools, as recommended by the Educational Excellence Committee. Including the Distinguished Level of Achievement path as a default supports equal access to higher education for all San Antonio students to ensure their ability to ultimately be competitive in college admissions a highly skilled and specialized workforce. The Distinguished Level of Achievement requires students complete four credits in English, Science and Math, including Algebra II, three credits in History, and completion of curriculum requirements for at least one of five endorsements (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); Business and Industry; Public Services; Arts and Humanities; or Multidisciplinary Studies).
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may elect to not issue a resolution supporting San Antonio area school districts and charter schools in adopting the Distinguished Level of Achievement as a default component of high school graduation plans, beginning in the 2014 - 2015 School Year, as recommended by the Educational Excellence Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action will have no fiscal impact to the City of San Antonio.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council approval of a resolution supporting San Antonio area school districts and charter schools in adopting the Distinguished Level of Achievement as a default component of high school graduation plans, beginning in the 2014 - 2015 School Year, as recommended by the Educational Excellence Committee.