1. (a) Credits. A student must earn at least 26 credits to complete the Distinguished Achievement High School Program.

2. (b) Core Courses. A student must demonstrate proficiency in the following:

   1. (1) English language arts--four credits. The credits must consist of English I, II, III, and IV (English I for Speakers of Other Languages and English II for Speakers of Other Languages may be substituted for English I and II only for immigrant students with limited English proficiency).
   2. (2) Mathematics--four credits. The credits must consist of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry and an additional SBOE-approved mathematics course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite.

   3. (3) Science--four credits. The credits must consist of a biology credit (Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology), a chemistry credit (Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry), a physics credit (Physics, AP Physics, or IB Physics), and an additional approved laboratory-based science course. After successful completion of a biology course, a chemistry course, and a physics course, a student may select the fourth required credit from any of the following laboratory-based courses:

      1. (A) Earth and Space Science;
      2. (B) Environmental Systems;
      3. (C) Aquatic Science;
      4. (D) Astronomy;
      5. (E) Anatomy and Physiology of Human Systems;
      6. (F) AP Biology;
      7. (G) IB Biology
      8. (H) AP Chemistry;
      9. (I) IB Chemistry;
      10. (J) AP Physics;
      11. (K) IB Physics;
      12. (L) AP Environmental Science;
      13. (M) IB Environmental Systems;
      14. (N) Scientific Research and Design; and
      15. (O) Engineering.
   4. (4) Social studies--three and one-half credits. The credits must consist of World History Studies (one credit), World Geography Studies (one credit), United States History Studies Since Reconstruction (one credit), and United States Government (one-half credit).
   5. (5) Economics, with emphasis on the free enterprise system and its benefits--one-half credit. The credit must consist of Economics with Emphasis on the Free Enterprise System and Its Benefits.
   6. (6) Languages other than English--three credits. The credits earned must be for any three levels in the same language.

   7. (7) Physical education--one and one-half credits to include Foundations of Personal Fitness (one-half credit).

      1. (A) A student may not earn more than two credits in physical education toward state graduation requirements.
      2. (B) The school district board of trustees may allow a student to substitute certain physical activities for the required credits in physical education, including the Foundations of Personal Fitness. The substitutions must be based on the physical activity involved in drill team, marching band, and cheerleading during the fall semester; Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC); athletics; Dance I-IV; and two- or three-credit career and technology work-based training courses.

      3. (C) In accordance with local district policy, a school district may award up to two credits for physical education for appropriate private or commercially-sponsored physical activity programs conducted on or off campus. The district must apply to the commissioner of education for approval of such programs, which may be substituted for state graduation credit in physical education. Such approval may be granted under the following conditions.

         1. (i) Olympic-level participation and/or competition includes a minimum of 15 hours per week of highly intensive, professional, supervised training. The training facility, instructors, and the activities involved in the program must be certified by the superintendent to be of exceptional quality. Students qualifying and participating at this level may be dismissed from school one hour per day. Students dismissed may not miss any class other than physical education.
         2. (ii) Private or commercially-sponsored physical activities include those certified by the superintendent to be of high quality and well supervised by appropriately trained instructors. Student participation of at least five hours per week must be required. Students certified to participate at this level may not be dismissed from any part of the regular school day.
   8. (8) Health education--one-half credit, which may be satisfied by Health 1 or Advanced Health, or Health Science Technology--one credit, which may be satisfied by Introduction to Health Science Technology, Health Science Technology I, or Health Science Technology II.
   9. (9) Speech--one-half credit. The credit must consist of Communication Applications.

   10. (10) Technology applications--one credit, which may be satisfied by:

       1. (A) the following courses in Chapter 126 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Technology Applications): Computer Science I, Computer Science II, Desktop Publishing, Digital Graphics/Animation, Multimedia, Video Technology, Web Mastering, or Independent Study in Technology Applications, or state-approved technology applications innovative courses;
       2. (B) the following courses in Chapter 120 of this title (relating to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Business Education): Business Computer Information Systems I or II, Business Computer Programming, Telecommunications and Networking, or Business Image Management and Multimedia;
       3. (C) the following courses in Chapter 123 of this title (relating to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Technology Education/Industrial Technology Education): Computer Applications, Technology Systems (modular computer laboratory-based), Communications Graphics (modular computer laboratory-based), or Computer Multimedia and Animation Technology; or
       4. (D) the completion of three credits (for students participating in a coherent sequence of career and technology courses or who are enrolled in a Tech Prep high school plan of study) consisting of two or more state-approved career and technology courses in Chapters 119 - 125 and 127 of this title. Districts shall ensure that career and technology courses, including innovative courses, in a coherent sequence used to meet the technology applications credit are appropriate to collectively teach the knowledge and skills found in any of the approved courses listed in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of this paragraph. Students pursuing the technology applications option described in this subparagraph must demonstrate proficiency in technology applications prior to the beginning of Grade 11.
   11. (11) Fine arts--one credit, which may be satisfied by any course in Chapter 117, Subchapter C, of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts).
3. (c) Elective Courses--two and one-half credits. The credits may be selected from the list of courses specified in §74.61(g) of this title (relating to High School Graduation Requirements). All students who wish to complete the Distinguished Achievement High School Program are encouraged to study each of the four foundation curriculum areas (English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies) every year in high school.

4. (d) Advanced measures. A student also must achieve any combination of four of the following advanced measures. Original research/projects may not be used for more than two of the four advanced measures. The measures must focus on demonstrated student performance at the college or professional level. Student performance on advanced measures must be assessed through an external review process. The student may choose from the following options:

   1. (1) original research/project that is:

      1. (A) judged by a panel of professionals in the field that is the focus of the project; or
      2. (B) conducted under the direction of mentor(s) and reported to an appropriate audience; and
      3. (C) related to the required curriculum set forth in §74.1 of this title (relating to Essential Knowledge and Skills);

   2. (2) test data where a student receives:

      1. (A) a score of three or above on the College Board advanced placement examination;
      2. (B) a score of four or above on an International Baccalaureate examination; or
      3. (C) a score on the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) that qualifies the student for recognition as a commended scholar or higher by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program of the College Board or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding Negro Students of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT score shall count as only one advanced measure regardless of the number of honors received by the student; or
   3. (3) college academic courses, advanced technical credit courses, and dual credit courses, including local articulation, with a grade of 3.0 or higher.
5. (e) Substitutions. No substitutions are allowed in the Distinguished Achievement High School Program, except as specified in this chapter.

Source Note:The provisions of this §74.64 adopted to be effective September 1, 2005, 29 TexReg 9357; amended to be effective January 9, 2007, 32 TexReg 80.