That is funny. It was around 30 years ago that some schools started considering programming language equivalent to foreign language.
Our TX public high school will not accept CS as Foreign Language requirement.
@BingeWatcher Not sure how it is possible that your TX public high school would be exempt from TEA House Bill 5 and the Foundation High School Program ( Chapter 74. Curriculum Requirements
Subchapter B. Graduation Requirements) http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter074/ch074b.html
Specifically:
(5) Languages other than English (LOTE)–two credits.
(A) The credits may be selected from the following:
(i) any two levels in the same language; or
(ii) two credits in computer programming languages selected from Computer Science I, II, and III.
(B) If a student, in completing the first credit of LOTE, demonstrates that the student is unlikely to be able to complete the second credit, the student may substitute another appropriate course as follows:
(i) Special Topics in Language and Culture;
(ii) World History Studies or World Geography Studies for a student who is not required to complete both by the local district;
(iii) another credit selected from Chapter 114 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Languages Other Than English); or
(iv) computer programming languages.
@BingeWatcher. Also, Is your high school following TEA’s requirement of Endorsements?
@4MyKidz Texas high schools can have additional requirements above and beyond what the TEA sets. Our high school has a rule about the number of unweighted classes that that must be taken (a total of 4, 3 must be taken for before senior year) TEA sets the MINIMUM standards. Schools that offer IB programs have much different requirements.
Here are the minimum graduation requirements from our TX school’s 2017-2018 course catalog, please note computer science is not listed as a language for our school.
**Foundation Program + Multidisciplinary Endorsement with the Distinguished Level of Achievement (26 credits) ***
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS – 4 credits English 1, English 2, English 3, English 4
MATHEMATICS – 4 credits Algebra 1 > Geometry > Algebra 2 > PreCalculus or Statistics OR Algebra 1 > Geometry > Math Models > Algebra 2
SCIENCE – 4 credits Biology > Chemistry > Physics > 4th Science** OR Biology > IPC* > Chemistry > Physics IPC is Integrated Physics and Chemistry. IPC credit from middle school is for elective credit, not science credit *Advanced Science: AP Chemistry 2, AP Physics 1&2, AP Physics C, AP Biology 2, AP Environmental Science, Environmental Systems, Earth and Space Science, Astronomy, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Advanced Biotechnology, Robotics 3, Engineering
SOCIAL STUDIES – 4 credits World Geography, World History, U.S. History, Economics (½ credit), Government (½ credit)
WORLD LANGUAGE – 2 credits (in same language) ASL (American Sign Language), Chinese, French, German, Latin, Spanish
P.E. – 1 credit (Athletics, Cheerleading, Dance, Marching Band, PE)
HEALTH – 0.5 credit (Health or Health Science)
FINE ARTS – 1 credit Art, Band, Beginning Guitar, Choir, Color Guard, Dance, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Technical Theatre, Theatre, AP Music Theory, AP Art History
ELECTIVES – 5.5 credits The careful selection and completion of electives (including those in the CTE department) allows a student to earn an endorsement. At **** High school, students are defaulted to the Multidisciplinary Endorsement, which means earning four credits from each core area AND earning credit in at least four AP or dual credit courses OR earning four advanced credits (designated with a ^ on the course number folder). However, students are free to earn additional endorsements in areas of interest. Endorsement criteria are listed on the course number folder given to students during course selection and on the counseling website. In terms of college admissions, the number of endorsements earned is NOT a factor either inside the state of Texas or at colleges around the country.
MANDATORY TEXAS STATE ASSESSMENTS Additionally, students must successfully complete all Texas legislated testing requirements as defined by the Texas Education Agency, which currently includes End-of-Course tests in English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and US History.
@3scoutsmom Yes, I understand about above and beyond, but in this case her HS isn’t meeting the basic standard. From my understanding, her school would have had to apply for a state waiver. Thank you for the description above, but that is only for 1 Endorsement. Does your school offer the other 4 Endorsements, including STEM?
Can’t the basic standard be met either by CS or foreign language (since it says ‘or’ in the requirements)? So the second high school requiring foreign language meets the standard. BTW, that second’s school requirements seem more in line with what selective colleges are looking for.
Also I believe diabetes can be classified as a disability, meaning your son can take tests untimed if needed, especially if he has to mange his disease hourly as you say. This way he can take his medicines during the test and not worry about it. Talk to your school about that if you need it. And colleges would not know it was untimed as that would violate the ADA.
@theloniusmonk I should have worded that better. Her school meets the basic standard. However, my understanding is that schools must be headed in the direction of full HB5 implementation (i.e.CS as foreign lang, offering all 5 Endorsements, etc.). Understandingly, this takes time and resources. In the meantime, schools must apply for waivers and/or file plans of how/when HB5 will be fully implemented. My son’s school district is huge and has lots of resources so his hs has fully implemented HB5 including all of the endorsements. However, the much smaller district my husband works in only offers the minimum multidisciplinary endorsement but has plans for full implementation.
Thank you for mentioning his diabetes. Yes, it is a disability. On the SAT/ACT, he will not receive xtra time, but he will be able to take breaks whenever needed without losing test time. This is crazy important for him and all students with Type1 because if his blood sugars drop suddenly or spike suddenly, he loses focus and becomes foggy. How he has been able to be so successful in his academics/athletics while managing T1 is simply beyond my understanding. The kid amazes me.
What is the HB5 standard, that CS courses have to be taken or can satisfy the foreign language requirement?
Try to get the tests taken totally untimed, so he’s not stressing out during the test wrt meds and sugar levels.
@theloniusmonk Pls see post #41 that has the link for HB5/Foundational Pgm
I read somewhere (can’t remember where) that Type1’s receive the extra and/or extended breaks accommodation so that they can test and/or treat the blood sugar issue. I didn’t know about an untimed option, but will definitely look into it. Thx!
Yes, they off all the endorsements but no one really cares about them, colleges certainly don’t care about them… each college will evaluate transcripts in their own way no matter what endorsement a student has.
Can you explain what you mean about “her HS is meeting the basic standard” @Bingewatcher and I have exchanged information on our differing school requirements in the past. I can assure you that her school exceeds the TEAs minimum standards.It’s interesting to see the different course offering at schools in the same state. I PM you a link to our school’s course book.
I’m not sure why you feel the counting CS as a foreign language is a good thing, not all colleges will accept this, I hope our school never encourages this.
@3scoutsmom I never said that counting CS as a foreign lang is a good thing. I do like my son’s CS pgm, although since I am the one who initiated this topic, I have serious concerns about meeting the foreign lang requirement for private/OOS college admissions. As I said before, he will stay in the CS pgm but will take the foreign lang via online/summer school.
Regarding this whole endorsement thing: Surprisingly TX Public Universities are required by TX State Legislature to include HB5/endorsements in their admissions decisions (I learned this tidbit from school administrators & district superintendents). My oldest daughter graduated under the previous traditional 4x4+2 pgm and easily got into every public/private/OOS college she applied to. So when we were told of the HB5 changes and the requirement of students having to choose an endorsement, I thought it was not only stupid but also irresponsible of TX to require this. Especially for students considering private or OOS schools. I’ve been in the public school system for most of my career and one thing I’ve learned is to work around systems you may or may not agree with. So my opinion of HB5 is neither here nor there.
So I just looked up the endorsements requirements.
Both sons will earn the Arts and Humanities Endorsement, Stem Endorsement, and Multi Disciplinary Endorsement with no change to their planned courses. Their school offers the other two, Business and Industry and Public Service but neither have any interest in the classes required for those.
Our school is an IB school @4MyKidz
@3scoutsmom @BingeWatcher Fabulous! Thx for sharing