Table Of ContentWylie ISD
2017-2018 High School
Academic Planning and Course Guide
David Vinson, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
WYLIE ISD ACADEMIC PLANNING GUIDE 2017-2018 1
Table of Contents
WYLIE ISD ACADEMIC PLANNING GUIDE FOR 2018 GRADUATES AND BEYOND ................................................ 4
WISD Mission Statement ................................................................................................................................. 4
District’s Jurisdiction ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Non-Discrimination Statement for Wylie ISD .................................................................................................. 5
ACADEMICS .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Graduation Requirements (2018 and beyond) ................................................................................................ 6
Early Graduates ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Courses that Fulfill Graduation Requirements ................................................................................................ 7
Awarding Credit ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Distinguished Level of Achievement* ............................................................................................................10
Performance Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................10
College or Unweighted GPA ...........................................................................................................................10
Ranking GPA ...................................................................................................................................................10
Class Rank and Grade Points ..........................................................................................................................11
Valedictorian and Salutatorian ......................................................................................................................13
Transfer Grades .............................................................................................................................................14
Basic Courses .................................................................................................................................................14
Honor Graduates ...........................................................................................................................................14
College Courses ..............................................................................................................................................14
Correspondence Courses ...............................................................................................................................15
Credit by Examination ....................................................................................................................................15
Texas Virtual Schools Network (TxVSN) .........................................................................................................16
Course Drop Guidelines .................................................................................................................................16
High School Courses Taken at the Junior High Level .....................................................................................17
Local Credit Courses .......................................................................................................................................17
Transfer Credits from Non-Accredited Schools or Home Schools .................................................................17
Grade Point Scale For Ranking GPA ...............................................................................................................18
Extra-Curricular Guidelines ............................................................................................................................19
Student Classification.....................................................................................................................................20
State Assessment Requirements ...................................................................................................................21
Suggested College and Career Preparation Timeline ....................................................................................22
WYLIE ISD ACADEMIC PLANNING GUIDE 2017-2018 2
WYLIE ISD PROGRAMS .......................................................................................................................................23
Athletics .........................................................................................................................................................23
English for Speakers of Other Languages( ESOL) ............................................................................................23
Gifted and Talented .......................................................................................................................................24
Special Education ...........................................................................................................................................24
PEARL BIRMINGHAM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ............................................................................................25
ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES .................................................................................................................26
Course Descriptions – English Language Arts ................................................................................................27
Course Descriptions – Mathematics ..............................................................................................................36
Course Descriptions – Science .......................................................................................................................41
Course Descriptions – Social Studies .............................................................................................................47
Course Descriptions – Fine Arts .....................................................................................................................52
Course Descriptions – Languages Other Than English ...................................................................................65
Course Descriptions – Career and Technical Education ................................................................................71
Course Descriptions – PE ...............................................................................................................................87
Course Descriptions – Innovative Courses and Non-Core, Non-CTE Electives ..............................................89
WYLIE ISD ACADEMIC PLANNING GUIDE 2017-2018 3
WYLIE ISD ACADEMIC PLANNING GUIDE FOR
2018 GRADUATES AND BEYOND
The Wylie ISD Academic Planning Guide is intended for use by students graduating in 2018 and
beyond. The guide represents the Wylie ISD’s continuing efforts to provide pertinent information
regarding high school graduation. The guide has been assembled utilizing Texas Education
Agency publications as they apply to the local district.
The Wylie ISD Academic Planning Guide lists the courses available to high school
students. Every course will not be offered during each academic school year. All courses are
dependent on staffing limitations and student interest. Every effort will be made by the high
schools to meet as many student requests for courses as possible. The Wylie ISD Academic
Planning Guide is updated annually as courses are added and removed. Wylie ISD follows TEA
regulations regarding the length of courses and required course sequences. The course guide
also offers graduation plans and requirements and academic program information. Students
must contact the college or university they are interested in attending so that requirements for
entrance are met.
Requirements in this academic planning guide are effective for students graduating from
Wylie High School, Wylie East High School and Choice Academic High School in 2018 and beyond.
In the future changes may be made to this guide in order to comply with new state legislation.
WISD Mission Statement
The Wylie Independent School District, in partnership with parents and the community, will
provide all students a world-class academic education which will prepare them to lead successful
and productive lives.
District’s Jurisdiction
The Wylie Independent School District has authority and control over its students during the
regular school day and while going to and from school on district transportation. This jurisdiction
includes any activity during the school day on school grounds, attendance at any school- related
activity,r egardless of time and location, and any school-related misconduct, regardless of time and
location.
WYLIE ISD ACADEMIC PLANNING GUIDE 2017-2018 4
Non-Discrimination Statement for Wylie ISD
The Wylie Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex or handicap in providing education services. Dr. David Vinson, Superintendent, has
been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX
and of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
WYLIE ISD ACADEMIC PLANNING GUIDE 2017-2018 5
ACADEMICS
Graduation Requirements (2018 and beyond)
There is one graduation plan approved by the State of Texas and Wylie Independent School
District. The State of Texas Foundation High School Program requires a total of 22 credits.
Additionally, upon entering grade 9, each student will select one or more endorsement areas for
an additional 4 credits. In Wylie ISD, every student is expected to earn 26 credits and graduate on
the Foundation High School Program with an endorsement.
Note: Admission to a college or university is not based on the graduation but on the requirements
for the particular college or university. College or university admission may also be based on
grade point average, class rank, scores on college entrance exams, involvement in school and
community activities, and/or other criteria deemed relevant by the university admission policy.
Wylie ISD
State of Texas Foundation High School Program
For students entering 9th grade in 2014 and thereafter:
English 4 units
Mathematics 3 units
Science 3 units
US History 1 unit
World History 1 unit
Government .5 units
Economics .5 units
Languages Other Than English 2 units
Fine Arts 1 unit
Physical Education 1 unit
Electives 5 units
TOTAL 22 units
Endorsements
Mathematics 1 unit
Science 1 unit
Electives 2 units
TOTAL 4 units
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Early Graduates
With credit requirements for graduation, it is rarely possible for a student to graduate in three
years. In extenuating circumstances students wishing to graduate early must request permission
from the campus administrator and consult with the counselor. Students who graduate early will
follow the graduation plan for the year they entered high school but will be ranked with the
graduating class. Students in Wylie ISD will not graduate early on the minimum/foundation only
graduation plan.
Courses that Fulfill Graduation Requirements
Fine Arts
Courses that satisfy the fine arts credit requirement include:
Art
Choir
Theatre
Technical Theatre
Band
AP Music Theory
Dance
Students must complete one full credit of the same fine arts class.
Mathematics
Students must complete Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. In addition, to earn an
th
endorsement, students must complete a 4 year of math.
Science
Students must complete Biology and two other science courses. In addition, to earn an
th
endorsement, students must complete a 4 year of science.
Languages Other Than English
Courses that satisfy the LOTE credit requirement include:
Spanish I, II, III, IV and V
French I, II, III, IV and V
Computer Science I and II (pending course creation by TEA)
WYLIE ISD ACADEMIC PLANNING GUIDE 2017-2018 7
Physical Education
Courses that satisfy the PE credit requirement include:
Athletics
Physical education courses
Marching band; ½ P.E. credit per year may be earned by completing the fall semester of
marching band
Drill Team; ½ P.E. credit per year may be earned by completing the fall semester of drill
team
Cheerleading
ROTC
Outdoor Education
Dance (may count as PE or Fine Arts credit but not both concurrently)
An approved, off-campus P.E. program
Only ½ credit of P.E. may be awarded each semester. The State of Texas does not allow more than
four credits of P.E. to be awarded. All physical education credits beyond these four credits will
receive local credit only. These local credits do not count toward state graduation requirements.
Awarding Credit
Beginning in the Fall of 2009 for all students, students will receive credit at the end of each
semester for each course regardless if the course is a semester course or a full year course
(comprised of two semesters.) For full year courses, the two semester course averages can be
averaged together to earn the full credit (1.0) under the following procedures:
Fall/Spring Averaging
The two semesters are averaged together
AND
The average of the two semester courses is 70% or greater.
Sample 1:
Fall semester - English I (a) grade earned - 67%
Spring semester – English I (b) grade earned - 75%
Student will earn a 1.0 credit for English 1
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Summer School Averaging
A student may attend summer school immediately following the academic year and re-
take a semester of the full year course with permission of the principal and his/her
designee. If the semester grade for the summer school class and the corresponding course
grade for the semester taken during the school year is 70% when averaged, the student
will receive the full credit for both semesters.
Sample 2:
Fall semester - English I (a) grade earned 67%
Spring semester - English I (b) grade earned - 66%
Student takes English I (b) in summer school in summer, and earns a 78%.
Student will earn a 1.0 credit for English 1. (average of English I (a) grade earned - 67%
and English I (b) 78% from summer school for an average of 72.5%)
Course credit is granted at the end of each semester. Students will only be awarded weighted
GPA points for advanced coursework if they remain in the course throughout the entire
semester.
Sample 3:
Fall Semester – Pre Advanced Placement Biology I - Advanced grade points earned to
correspond with the student’s grade
Spring Semester – Biology I – Regular grade points earned to correspond with the
student’s grade
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Distinguished Level of Achievement*
Students may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing the
curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program and the curriculum
requirements for at least one endorsement required by the Texas Education Code (TEC),
§28.025(b-15), including four credits in science and four credit is mathematics to include
Algebra II.
*Distinguished level of achievement is necessary to be eligible for the top 10% automatic
college admission outlined in TEC §51.803.
Performance Acknowledgements
Students may earn performance acknowledgements on their diploma and transcript for
outstanding performance in dual credit courses, in bilingualism and bi-literacy, on a College
Board Advanced Placement test or International Baccalaureate examination, on the PSAT, the
ACT-PLAN, the SAT, the ACT, or for earning a nationally or internationally recognized business
or industry certification or license. Please consult your counselor for more information about
the required coursework and scores necessary to receive a performance acknowledgement.
College or Unweighted GPA
Any high school credit a student earns, including high school credits earned in junior high, will
calculate into a student’s unweighted or College GPA. WISD uses a 4.0 scale to calculate
unweighted GPA and does not take into account the level of the class.
Ranking GPA
A student’s Ranking GPA is based on a 6.0 scale and takes into account the level of the class.
Classes counting in Ranking GPA are outlined below. Not all high school credit courses are
included.
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