New Texas High School Default Graduation Plan

Texas High School Default Graduation Plan

Effective as of the 2004-2005 school year, the Recommended Program became the default graduation plan for all students entering ninth grade and thereafter. Since 1998, the Minimum Program, which required a total of 22 academic credits for graduation though none in fine arts, served as the default graduation plan for Texas high school students. Students have also had the option of graduating under the more rigorous, college preparatory Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Programs, both of which require a total of 24 academic credits, including one credit of fine arts (music, art, dance, or theatre). As prescribed in TEC 28.025(b), however, the Recommended Program became the default graduation plan for all Texas high school students unless the student, parent and school administrator agree that the Minimum Program is more suitable for the student.

To illustrate the idea that fine arts enrollments will increase as a result of the default graduation plan changes, statewide data from the Texas Education Agency Division of Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) for the 2002-03 school year is provided below.

On November 16, 2006, the State Board of Education gave final approval to increasing the Recommended and Distinguished high school graduation retirements to 26 credits. For the final report, go to SBOE Gives Final Approval to High School Graduation Requirements (PDF).

Thomas H. Waggoner, Director of Fine Arts, Texas Education Agency

Article, as printed in the Sept. 2004 Southwestern Musician (pdf file)

High School Graduation Data

2003-2004 Music Class Enrollment Data