English Language Arts

Rank Points – 4
Credits – 1-4

Requirement
ARD Approval

Description
This course focuses on functional oral and written communication skills and functional reading and writing skills in daily living in the home, community, and on-the-job.

Rank Points – 0
Credits – P

Prerequisite
English III and Level II/Satisfactory Performance on both English I and II STAAR EOC’S

Description
This course is for seniors who do not meet college readiness standards as defined by HB5 by the spring semester of their junior year. In this college-preparatory course students will improve integrated critical reading and writing skills through engagement with a variety of texts across content areas and genres. As a result, students will be able to develop and express ideas clearly and effectively to communicate with various audiences for various purposes and occasions. Students earning a 75 or higher in the course are considered college ready at Alamo Colleges, UTSA, and Texas A&M San Antonio.

Rank Points – 6
Credits – 1

Description
Students will develop an understanding for reading, writing, research, listening, speaking, and the oral and written conventions of the English language. Students will engage in activities that build on their prior knowledge and skills in order to strengthen their reading, writing, and oral language skills. In addition, students will continue to address earlier standards as needed while they attend to standards for their grade level. Students will read and write extensively in multiple genres.

STAAR EOC required for graduation. Students who have completed STAAR EOC assessments while in middle school must take either the ACT or SAT once in high school to fulfill federal testing requirements.

Rank Points – 7
Credits – 1

Description
The English I Honors course will challenge and enrich students, expanding their experience beyond the typical program. Success requires the student’s commitment to the expectations of the Honors course. This course will prepare students for future Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, or OnRamps Dual Enrollment programs. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ skills in critical, analytical and creative thinking, close reading, grammar, and composition. Students will read and write extensively in multiple genres.

STAAR EOC required for graduation. Students who have completed STAAR EOC assessments while in middle school must take either the ACT or SAT once in high school to fulfill federal testing requirements.

Rank Points – 6
Credits – 1

Description
Students will develop an understanding for reading, writing, research, listening, speaking, and the oral and written conventions of English. Students will engage in activities that build on their prior knowledge and skills in order to strengthen their reading, writing, and oral language skills. In addition, students will continue to address earlier standards as needed while they attend to standards for their grade level. Students will read and write extensively in multiple genres.

STAAR EOC required for graduation. Students who have completed STAAR EOC assessments while in middle school must take either the ACT or SAT once in high school to fulfill federal testing requirements.

Rank Points – 7
Credits – 1

Description
The English II Honors course will challenge and enrich students, expanding their experience beyond the typical program. Success requires the student’s commitment to the expectations of the Honors course. This course will prepare students for future Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, or OnRamps Dual Enrollment programs.. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ skills in critical, analytical and creative thinking, close reading, grammar, and composition. Students will read and write extensively in multiple genres.

STAAR EOC required for graduation. Students who have completed STAAR EOC assessments while in middle school must take either the ACT or SAT once in high school to fulfill federal testing requirements.

Rank Points – 5
Credits – 1

Requirement
ARD Approval

Description
This course focuses on integrated language arts study in language/writing, literature/reading, speaking/listening, and viewing/representing. Students will continue to read extensively in multiple genres of literature. Basic English II includes the continuing development of study skills, strategies, and the use of critical thinking skills.

Rank Points – 6
Credits – 1

Description
The English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are organized into the following strands: Reading, Writing, Research, Listening and Speaking, and Oral and Written Conventions. The standards are cumulative–students will continue to address earlier standards as needed while they attend to standards for their grade. Students will increase and refine their communication skills as well as plan, draft, and edit compositions for clarity, appropriate language, and error-free essays. All forms of writing are emphasized. Readings will focus on American literature; however, students will read from a variety of literature to study literary terms, historical references, and relevance to society. This college bound course requires students to extend their studies in visual texts and literature, both fiction and non-fiction. This course includes research, SAT prep, and state assessment prep, helps to ensure students are college-ready upon exiting high school.

Rank Points – 5
Credits – 1

Requirement
ARD Approval

Description
Students plan, draft, and complete written compositions with an emphasis on business forms on a regular basis. A survey of literature provides the source for critical thinking and literary essays. Students will present and critique oral communications and multimedia products.

Rank Points – 6
Credits – 1

Description
This course is designed to prepare seniors for all post-high school opportunities. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to enter any secondary education program, the military, and/or the work force with the skills necessary to succeed. This course focuses on British literature from the Anglo Saxon period to the present and concentrates heavily on reading, writing, and critical thinking skills with an emphasis on real life application. Additional English

Rank Points – 5
Credits – 1

Requirement
ARD Approval

Description
This course focuses on integrated language arts study in language/writing, literature/reading, speaking/listening, and viewing/representing, and involves the reading of a wide variety of literature. Students present and critique oral communications that include visuals and various media. Students plan, draft, and complete written compositions in a variety of forms; including, business, personal, literary and persuasive texts.

Rank Points – n/a
Credits – 1

Description
This course provides a survey of the field of journalism. It begins with the history of journalism in the U.S., examines the role and the responsibility of media, explores newspaper structure and function, and examines methods of news gathering and reporting. Fundamental skills of journalism will be stressed: writing news, features and editorials, developing interviewing skills, and learning page layout. This course also includes a brief introduction to yearbook production, public relations, advertising fundamentals and photojournalism.

Rank Points – n/a
Credits – 1

Prerequisite
Prior yearbook course completion

Description
Students must have teacher approval for admittance into Yearbook. This course gives students the opportunity to plan, design and construct the high school yearbook. Skills germane to yearbook production include planning, using graphic art, journalistic writing, photography, and photo cropping, layout design, advertising, marketing, and group dynamics. Students must be willing to work after school and during the summer.

Rank Points – n/a
Credits – .5

Description
This course meets the .5 credit speech requirement for graduation.

Students will examine the communication process, interpersonal communication, group communication, and public speaking. Students will identify, analyze, develop and evaluate communication skills needed for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group interactions, and personal and professional presentations.

Rank Points – n/a
Credits – .5-1

Prerequisite
Placement Approval

Description
Reading I, II, & III offers students reading instruction to successfully navigate academic demands as well as attain life-long literacy skills. Specific instruction in word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension strategies, and fluency provides students an opportunity to read with competence, confidence, and understanding. Students learn how traditional and electronic texts are organized and how authors choose language for effect. All of these strategies are applied in instructional-level and independent-level texts that cross the content areas. Students participating in this course previously did not meet standard on their RLA STAAR exam.

Please note: Course Catalogs will be updated as needed to reflect new information from the Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education