The state of Texas maintains graduation requirements for those who wish to be awarded a diploma, but has no requirements for homeschooling students, other than that they pursue reading, grammar, spelling, math, and good citizenship. These are all things we encourage at Camp Oak Hallows, but we like to see our students go above and beyond the bare minimum.

As of 2015, a student must earn at least 22 credits to complete the Foundation High School Program and qualify for a diploma under House Bill 5.

Remember, credits are not multi-purpose, you can’t count a course twice to satisfy two different requirements.

Students must demonstrate proficiency (pass courses) in:

• English I or English I for Speakers of Other Languages
• English II or English II for Speakers of Other Languages
• English III, AP Language and Composition, or a comparable International Baccalaureate (IB) English language arts course
• A fourth English credit such as English IV, AP Literature and Composition, Debate, Journalism, Creative Writing, Literary Genres, or Technical Writing
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• One (1) full credit or two (2) half credits of Math such as Personal Finance, Model Applications, Advanced Quantitative Reasoning, Statistics, Robotics and Programming, OR two (2) full IB Mathematics credits
• Biology
• One (1) full Lab credit, such as Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Principles of Technology, Physics, or Chemistry
• One (1) full credit or two (2) half credits of Science such as Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Anatomy and Physiology, Aquatic Science, Forensic Science, or a comparable AP or IB course credit
• US History Since 1877
• US Government (One half-credit)
• Economics with emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and its Benefits (One half-credit)
• One (1) additional credit of World History, World Geography, or a comparable AP or IB course credit
• One (1) Physical Education credit of a P.E. course, Athletics, JROTC, Drill Team, Marching Band, or Cheerleading.
• One (1) Fine Arts credit of Art, Choir, Band or Orchestra, Dance, Music Studies, Theater, Digital Animation, Modeling Animation, Floral Design
• Five (5) additional Elective credits of any courses
• Two (2) Language Other Than English (LOTE) credits at different levels in the same language, OR two (2) AP or IB LOTE credits at different levels in the same language, OR two (2) credits in computer programming languages OR two (2) credits in comparable AP computer programming courses OR two (2) IB course completions computer programming courses

A student, who due to a disability, is unable to complete two credits in the same language in a language other than English, may substitute a combination of two credits that are not being used to satisfy another specific graduation requirement selected from English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies or two credits in career and technical education or technology applications for the LOTE credit requirements. The determination regarding a student’s ability to complete the LOTE credit requirements will be made by: the student’s ARD committee if the student receives special education services or the committee established for the student under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 United States Code, Section 794) if the student does not receive special education services.

Endorsements require 26 credits.

• Algebra II  OR another higher level math not already satisfying a requirement
• Another higher level science not already satisfying a requirement
• Two (2) additional elective credits

There are five (5) endorsement plans, which set requirements for Electives and some core credits. You still need 7 electives, but your endorsement plan describes what those electives must be.

STEM Endorsement

• Must have Algebra II and
• Must have Chemistry and Physics and
• Must have Principles of Technology and:

1.  A coherent sequence of courses for four or more credits in career and technical education (CTE) that consists of at least two courses in the same career cluster and at least one advanced CTE course OR
2. A coherent sequence of courses of four credits in computer science OR
3. Two (2) credits in higher mathematics for which Algebra II is a prerequisite

Business and Industry Endorsement

1. A coherent sequence of courses for four or more credits in CTE that consists of at least two courses in the same career cluster and at least one advanced CTE course OR
2. Three levels of credits in one of the following: Public Speaking, Debate, Broadcast Journalism, Newspaper, Yearbook, or Literary Magazine Journalism OR
3. Four technology applications credits OR
4. A coherent sequence of four credits from a combination of the above categories

Public Services Endorsement

1. A coherent sequence of courses for four or more credits in CTE that consists of at least two courses in the same career cluster and at least one advanced CTE course where the final of the sequence is Education and Training, Government and Public Adminstration, Human Services, Public Safety, Career Preparation, or Project Based Research OR
2. Four courses in JROTC

Arts and Humanities Endorsement

• A fifth social studies credit OR
• Four level credits in the same language OR
• Two levels in one LOTE and two levels in another OR
• Four levels of American Sign Language OR
• A coherent sequence of four credits of Fine Arts

Multidisciplinary Endorsement

• Four courses that prepare a student to enter the workforce OR
• Four credits in each of the four foundations categories including Chemistry and/or Physics, and English IV or a comparable AP/IB course OR
• Four credits in AP, IB, or dual credit courses OR
• Four credits of Fine Arts

This page is sourced from 19 TAC Chapter 74.

Part of the magic of Camp Oak Hallows is the ability to custom-plan your education and graduate at your own pace, away from the heavily structured environment of traditional school settings where “getting ahead” and “falling behind” are obvious to peers and add undue stress for students. There’s no such thing as “ahead” or “behind” when you set your own schedule, goals, and benchmarks.

Public schools often require students to first sit, and fail, a traditional classroom course before being allowed to earn credit in another way, such as a Credit By Examination or abbreviated “recovery” credit program such as those offered by Edgenuity. This delays success and puts a hold on advancement. Camp Oak Hallows recognizes that that’s nonsense, and we encourage students to earn their credits in the way best suited to their needs and goals. Read more: here.

Let’s create your custom education plan together and pick out caps and gowns!