Innovative & Local Credit Courses

Note: Local credit courses do not count as part of a student’s graduation plan.

Rank Points – 0
Credits – .5

Prerequisite: ARD Decision.

Description
The Making Connections course sequence serves students who have an autism spectrum disorder or a related disorder such as social (pragmatic) communication disorder which causes them to have difficulty with social skills. The courses also assist the students with developing and generalizing appropriate and beneficial social skills and in turn increases that student’s postsecondary outcome. ARD Determination.

Rank Points – 6
Credits – 1

Description
This course focuses on the skills and strategies necessary for students to make a successful transition into high school and an academic career. Students will explore the options available in high school, higher education, and the professional world in order to establish both immediate and long-range personal goals. After identifying their individual learning styles and abilities, students will focus on these abilities by developing critical time-management, organization, and study skills. The course focuses on self-understanding, decision-making, resilience, attitude, character education, and leadership to help students maximize personal achievement. Enrollment is determined by the campus.

Rank Points – n/a
Credits – Local

Prerequisite
Counselor approval and application.

Description
Open to seniors who have completed all other graduation requirements. This includes meeting a College, Career, or Military requirement. The requirement can be met through ELA and Math test scores in ACT/SAT/TSIA2, successfully completing an OnRamps course, earning an Industry Based Certification, earning up to 9 dual credit hours, or earning a 3 on an AP exam. Students who have not met this requirement will be enrolled in College Prep ELA and/or College Prep Math their Senior year to continue to prepare them for success in a college or career choice after high school.

Rank Points – 0
Credits – 1

Description
The Peer Assistance and Leadership® (PAL) program focuses on working with elementary, middle, and high school age youth. Participants receive effective training in resiliency strategies. Course content and interactive activities combat issues like school violence, drug use/abuse,teen pregnancy, gang participation, school dropouts, and/or behavior problems. PAL® began in 1980 as a peer mentoring program, commonly referred to as “peer helping”, by combining peer assistance and peer leadership strategies originally developed in the 1970’s.

Rank Points – n/a
Credits – Local

Prerequisite
Counselor approval and application.

Description
Open to seniors to assist the office, counselors, or teachers.

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