High School Course Guide 2020-2021 1 MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Pflugerville ISD is to provide an inspiring, engaging, and relevant education that empowers students to reach their full potential as productive members of a diverse global community. VISION Pflugerville ISD... Passionately Serving the Best Interests of Students BELIEFS We Believe: • Diversity is our strength • All individuals have worth • Relationships are foundational to success • A safe and nurturing environment is non-negotiable • All students have the right to diverse educational opportunities • Social-emotional learning is as critical as academic focus • Civic-mindedness must be explicitly cultivated in our students • Community partnerships and high expectations improve student outcomes • Innovation and a strong work ethic ensure excellence Note: Not all courses are offered at all HS campuses. Addendums to the course catalog will be posted on www.pfisd.net. The Pflugerville Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer and provides educational programs and services which do not discriminate on the basis of age, national origin, race, sex, color, religion, disability or against any other legally protected group. Complaints should be addressed to the Director of Policy & Administrative Procedure at 512-594-0000. 2 Cabinet Leadership Team Dr. Doug Killian, Superintendent Troy Galow, Ed.D., Chief of Staff Brandy Baker, M.Ed., Chief Academic and Innovation Officer Trana Allen, Area Executive Director of the Panther Learning Community Dr. John O’Hare, Area Executive Director of the Hawk Learning Community Alma Gonzalez, Area Executive Director of the Cougar Learning Community Dr. Brian Dawson, Area Executive Director of the Wolf Learning Community Ed Ramos, Chief Operating Officer Tamra Spence, Communications Officer Victor Valdez, Chief Technology Officer Willie Watson, Chief Human Resources Officer PfISD Board of Trustees Vernagene Mott, President Mary Kimmins, Vice-President Tony Hanson, Secretary Brian Allen Larry D. Bradley Renae Mitchell Rob Reyes 3 Curriculum, Innovation, and Academics Accountability & Assessment 512-594-0126 Advanced Academics & Gifted and Talented 512-594-0111 Career and Technical Education 512-594-0117 Counseling and Guidance 512-594-0149 Curriculum and Innovation 512-594-0150 Federal & State Programs 512-594-0130 Instructional Technology 512-594-0226 Multilingual Education 512-594-0192 Special Education 512-594-0169 Special Programs 512-594-0164 High School Campuses Connally High School Hendrickson High School Pflugerville High School 13212 North Lamar Blvd. 19201 Colorado Sand Dr. 1301 West Pecan St. Austin, TX 78753 Pflugerville, TX 78660 Pflugerville, TX 78660 512-594-0800 512-594-1105 512-594-0505 Weiss High School Pflugerville Academic Provan Opportunity Center 5201 Wolf Pack Dr. Center of Excellence 1401-A West Pecan St. Pflugerville, TX 78660 (PACE) Pflugerville, TX 78660 512-594-1405 1401-B West Pecan St. 512-594-3605 Pflugerville, TX 78660 512-594-1905 4 Table of Contents ENDORSEMENT GRADUATION PLAN OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................ 7 HOUSE BILL 5 GRADUATION PLANS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 PERSONAL GRADUATION PLAN……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9 PERFORMANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 STATE OF TEXAS TESTING REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................................................... 12 PfISD PATHWAYS TO POSTSECONDARY READINESS .................................................................................................................................... 13 TEXAS CAREER CHECK: A CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS TOOL.................................................................................................. 14 COURSE PLANNING: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ................................................................................................................. 15 PFISD APPROVED ACC DUAL CREDIT COURSES ............................................................................................................................................ 17 PFLUGERVILLE CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) ACC ARTICULATED COURSES ........................................................... 23 ADVANCED ACADEMICS ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 23 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 SCHEDULE CHANGES .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 27 ENGLISH ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28 MATHEMATICS ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 SCIENCE ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 39 SOCIAL STUDIES ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 45 LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH (LOTE) ................................................................................................................................................ 50 PHYSICAL EDUCATION ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 52 ATHLETICS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….55 HEALTH .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 59 SPEECH ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 FINE ARTS .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 61 TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 68 OTHER ELECTIVE COURSES .............................................................................................................................................................................. 69 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION .......................................................................................................................................................... 73 GPA SCALE ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 88 POST SECONDARY PLANNING CALENDAR ....................................................................................................................................................... 91 GRADE 8 .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 91 GRADE 9-FRESHMAN YEAR ............................................................................................................................................................................... 91 GRADE 10-SOPHOMORE YEAR ........................................................................................................................................................................... 92 GRADE 11-JUNIOR YEAR ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 93 GRADE 12-SENIOR YEAR ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 95 TEN MOST COMMON MISTAKES MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL .......................................................................................................................... 98 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR COUNSELOR ..........................................................................................................................................................