4x4: Graduation Requirements
Deciding which direction to follow for a high school education is complex and critical. And with the recently introduced 4x4 state educational requirements, maintaining that course – even getting ahead – has become more difficult and extremely important.
But Garland ISD can cinch up the seams, sew up those loose ends and frame a path for each student that will either keep them on track or one step ahead in graduating high school on time.
What is 4x4?
High school curriculum is a four-year patchwork of courses that must be successfully pieced together in order to meet Texas Education Agency graduation requirements. 4x4 is an alteration to TEA requirements that was introduced in 2007.
Under the 4x4 plan, students are required to successfully complete four, full-year courses in each of the four basic subjects – English, social studies, mathematics and science.
Coining the phrase was easy – Four courses. Four years. 4x4.
What changed with 4x4?
In years past, students were required to take four years of English and social studies, and only three years of mathematics and science.
State officials wanted to better prepare students for their educational endeavors after high school. To do so, they upped the mathematics and science requirements. Now, all four core subject areas require the same amount of study.
This increased the minimum number of credits required for graduation in the state’s “recommended” and “distinguished” high school programs from 24 to 26.
Who is affected by 4x4 and how does it shape their high school studies?
Anyone seeking graduation in either the recommended or distinguished programs must adhere to 4x4 requirements. This became effective with all students who entered ninth grade in 2007, or after. And while the premise of 4x4 is simple enough, its impact is far reaching and more complex.
Students have grown accustomed to the traditional setup. The former 24-credit schedule was less demanding which provided students more opportunities to push ahead in high school coursework and pursue early graduation or obtain college credit.
While both of these options still exist and are within reach of GISD’s talented learners, it has become imperative for students to maintain awareness of their development.
By requiring an additional year of math and science – two subjects that are challenging learners across the state – the TEA has increased the rigor in obtaining a diploma. The move ensures that graduating seniors will no longer enter college after a one-year hiatus from both subjects, which officials hope will enhance the declining classroom performance of incoming collegiate freshmen.
But the move also leaves no room for error. There is no longer an assurance of extra elective periods where students have customarily had the option to take dual-credit courses, obtain college credit and graduate at mid-term. Instead, math and science are now required in two full-year blocks that were formerly electives.
And if students fall behind, the new schedule leaves no room to recover credit the following year – another traditional safety valve.
Piecing it all together
It will take time for today’s young learners to become familiar with 4x4 – even with the propensity for knowledge they demonstrate daily. Until then, knowing where to find scraps of information will make the transition much easier.
Garland ISD can supply the thread to piece this journey together.
Counselors play a vital role in a high schooler’s decision-making process by monitoring academic progression and suggesting educational direction. And several academic avenues can open up for a young learner when they sit down with counselors to develop a four-year plan specific to their goals.
Whether a student wants to get ahead or is in jeopardy of falling behind. If summer school is an option for advancement, or if scholastic intervention is necessary through online credit recovery courses. Even if someone needs advice on fitting electives into 4x4 completion requirements, counselors are available to help students understand where they are and what they need to do.
These are only a few of the innovative alternatives that have already been fashioned to help students and more ideas are on the way.
Officials want each student to leave the eighth grade with one high school credit under their belt. The Academic Advancement Program is being implemented to allow students more headway in progressing through courses. The Evening High School and Non-Traditional High School are being incorporated into the fold, and online courses continue being evaluated as options.
The district has hand-crafted a fabric of resources to help students adjust to 4x4. Understanding its significance is imperative and high school counselors are a student’s best fit in comprehending the process.
While students, parents, teachers and counselors all adjust to this new 4x4 model, GISD will be there to lend a hand and fasten together the patchwork to suit every learner’s style.