Course Descriptions - Fort Worth ISD

Students are required to take English I, II, III, and IV; however, they have the option to substitute AP or dual
credit courses for English levels III and IV. Please refer to the appropriate levels and courses where AP and
dual credit courses meet the English requirements.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
ENGLISH LANGUAGE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Fort Worth ISD and Texas State Graduation Requirements for Students Entering
Grade 9 in 2012-2013 School Year and Thereafter
Minimum Graduation Plan
(22 Credits)
English (4 Credits) Three of the credits
must consist of:
• English I, II, and III
• English I and II for Speakers of Other
Languages may be substituted for English I
and II for students with limited English
proficiency who are at the beginning or
intermediate level of English language
proficiency as defined by §74.4(d) of this
title (relating to English Language
Proficiency Standards).
The fourth credit of English may be selected
from one full credit or a combination of two
half credits from the following courses:
• English IV;
• Research and Technical Writing;
• Creative Writing;
• Practical Writing Skills;
• Literary Genres;
• Business English;
• Journalism;
• AP Language & Composition;
• AP Literature & Composition;
• Dual Credit English Composition�;
• Dual Credit British Literature
Recommended High School Program
(26 Credits)
English (4 Credits)
• English I and II, or
• English I and II for Speakers of
Other Languages may be
substituted for English I and II
for students with limited English
proficiency who are at the
beginning or intermediate level of
English language proficiency as
defined by §74.4(d) of this title
(relating to English Language
Proficiency Standards).
Third Credit of English from one of the
following:
• English III or
• AP Language & Composition or
• Dual Credit English Composition
Fourth Credit of English from one of the
following:
• English IV or
• AP Language & Composition; or
• AP Literature & Composition; or
• Dual Credit English Composition�;
• Dual Credit British Literature
Distinguished Achievement Program *
(26 Credits plus Advanced Measures)
English (4 Credits)
• English I and II, or
• English I and II for Speakers of
Other Languages may be
substituted for English I and II
for students with limited English
proficiency who are at the
beginning or intermediate level of
English language proficiency as
defined by §74.4(d) of this title
(relating to English Language
Proficiency Standards).
Third Credit of English from one of the
following:
• English III or
• AP Language & Composition or;
• Dual Credit English Composition
Fourth Credit of English from one of the
following:
• English IV or
• AP Language & Composition; or
• AP Literature & Composition; or
• Dual Credit English Composition�;
• Dual Credit British Literature
�Dual Credit English Composition counts the same as AP Language and Composition; therefore, students may
not receive credit for both. Refer to course descriptions for more details.
End of Course (EOC) assessments will be required of Grade 9 students entering high school in school year 2011 -
12 and thereafter. EOCs will be required in English, Language Arts for the following courses: English I, English
II, and English III. EOC test scores will be included in the calculation of the cumulative score required for
graduation. Beginning in the school year 2013-2014, the students taking English End of Course (EOC) assessments
must count the test score as 15% of the final course grade.
College Board Advanced Placement, college-level concurrent/ dual enrollment credit courses, and International Baccalaureate
courses
may be substituted for requirements in appropriate areas.
*Distinguished Achievement Program requirements also include student achievement of four advanced measures and
additional EOC examination requirements which includes:
Additional End-of-Course Examination (EOC) requirements have been added for students entering Grade 9 in 2011 – 2012
school year and thereafter to graduate under the Distinguished Achievement Program which includes:
• Taking all 15 EOC assessments;
• Meeting the required cumulative cut score in each of the foundation content areas; and
• Meeting Level III Advanced Academic Performance, the postsecondary-readiness performance standard on the
Algebra II and English III EOCs.
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