updated 27 April 2020

• Online Learning Resources - PDF
• At Home Learning Resources for Students with Disabilities - PDF

additional resources below

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HippoCampus

https://hippocampus.org/HippoCampus/
This website covers grades middle school through college students.  You can also check out the playlists for one of 13 subject areas, or you can browse by collection, like the NASA collections of science videos.  This site also has over 7,000 free videos you can review. 

Scholastic

https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
This website covers grades 1-2; 3-5 and 6-9.  The site shares easy activities, videos, read-alouds, and much more.  It covers a three week time frame with daily lessons.  Several of the daily lessons are also presented in Spanish.

Look under the "Resources for Families" for additional support such as Answer Key to Math Questions, etc.; helpful tips and tricks and Free Teachable worksheets and activities (pre-k-8).

Tutor.com

"Step-by-Step Video Guide" for military families has been created. The direct link to the YouTube video is: https://youtu.be/jBhJwYzM0hU. A series of webinars on different topics to include activities for students, how to approach certain academic subjects etc. will be posted.

ReadyRosie

Early education tool that helps Families, schools and communities across the nation deepen and scale their Family engagement efforts. ReadyRosie has created Healthy at Home: A Toolkit for Supporting Families Impacted by COVID-19. Check out https://healthyathome.readyrosie.com/en/ each week for information, resources and activities to engage and support the positive growth and development of your infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners during this time away from stimulation provided by childcare centers and schools.

Socratic by Google

Need to get unstuck? Socratic can help! This learning app, powered by Google AI, helps you understand your school work at a high school and university level. Ask Socratic a question and the app will find the best online resources for you to learn the concepts. Socratic supports most high school subjects.  https://socratic.org/

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

TEA has developed a section of their web site to provide information about Texas schools, graduation requirements and links to other sites of interest for Military Families. The Texas Education Agency recognized the need to provide information about available resources to students, parents, and educators to assist with navigating transitions to new schools, communities, and repeated cycles of separation and reunion. https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/military-family-resources

Texas Education Agency (TEA) has developed a section of their web site to provide information about Texas schools, graduation requirements and links to other sites of interest for Military Families. The Texas Education Agency recognized the need to provide information about available resources to students, parents, and educators to assist with navigating transitions to new schools, communities, and repeated cycles of separation and reunion.
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/military-family-resources

Thrive

Thrive and  is a continuum of developmentally appropriate parenting programs that are available at no cost to parents and caregivers of children from birth to 18 years old. Four categories for age appropriate activities and discussions with your

child. 

• https://thrive.psu.edu
• https://parenting.thrive.psu.edu
• https://thrive.psu.edu/tips-for-working-at-home-with-kids/

Many activities to enhance leaning and lowering stress in students. Additional resources contain ideas for how parents can include children in completing daily tasks and other helpful items like seeing signs of stress in your children.

NASA Kids' Club

This website covers grades Kindergarten through 4th grade and supports STEM academic areas.

• https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html#VYmm2GTF_fZ
• https://science.nasa.gov/get-involved/nasaathome

Rosetta Stone

Hola, Guten Tag, Bonjour, Aloha and Hello from the CYS School Liaison Office!  Rosetta Stone for Students is providing extra support to your students for the next three months, and its FREE! This online language learning program is a great resource that can help bridge the gap your students may be experiencing. Check out
https://www.rosettastone.com/freeforstudents/

Best Practices for Learning at Home

• Create a consistent schedule and learning pace for your student.
• Keep a regular bed time.
• Set aside a quiet space. But you don't have to replicate the classroom environment. There's nothing wrong with doing classwork in the backyard.
• Set rules about distractions like electronics. When and what times they can play video games, use their cell phones and watch television.
• Allow students to work on assignments in increments of 20-30-minutes at a time (depending on age). Schedules may differ, especially if you have multiple students. It may even differ student to student.
• Do intensive subjects like Math, Science, and English in the morning and leave the afternoon for more self-directed work. If you're stuck on an assignment, or don't understand it, remember to use Tutor.com for Military Families.
• Read, Read, Read!
• Cooking together is brought up many times with Homeschool Families. It is Math, Science, Reading and other relevant skills rolled into one.
• If you are looking for extra activities, look up homeschool activities on Pintrest.
• Learn your student's motivation. They have rewards in school so try and create rewards for them at home for their accomplishments.
• Parents, don't forget to make time for yourself.

Activity: Hunt the Good Stuff

This activity can be done daily or weekly and completed with your students  at the dinner table. As a parent, this can help connect you to your student and stay positive! 

To hunt the good stuff, you will have your student reflect on the day and say or write down one positive thing that happened to them that day. It may help to start with your "good stuff" first.  Then, you can ask questions such as, why did this good thing happen? What does this good thing mean to you? What can you do tomorrow to enable more of these good things?

This skill will help build a student's positive emotions and optimism, which creates space for them to focus on the goodness that is part of their daily lives.  Simply put, it is a way to help them see that the glass is not always half empty.

You Visit

You Visitwill let your student take a virtual tour of over 600 different colleges, while being in the comfort of their own home.  To start your students college visit journey go to:
https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/

Getting ready to move:

• Information about your upcoming duty station and educational options in your new community
• Connection to a youth sponsor who can answer your child’s questions from a youth’s perspective
• Assistance with the steps to prepare for your children’s departure from their current schools

Once you arrive:

• Assistance with school registration and transition
• Help with questions about compliance and solutions regarding the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
• Two way communication between the school and parent
• Connection with homeschool co-ops or support groups

During your assignment:

• Answers to your questions about schools, homeschooling, special education, scholarships, transitions and more.
• Parent education opportunities about college and career readiness, preparing for transition and the Interstate Compact 

To ease the transition, contact your SLO as soon as you get orders.

Finding a new school and registering your child can be confusing. 

We can help.
 

Our SLOs give you information on local schools so you can find the best fit for you and your family.   They can also help you with everything you need to register – and can answer other questions, too. Contact our office and to get more detailed information.

Research-based Characteristics of Quality Schools 

Most schools share fundamental characteristics that prepare students for the future. Research shows that the most effective schools are more alike than they are different. Here is some information about what to look for in quality schools:

• Five Key Features of Effective Schools
• Effective Schools Research Base
• What is Effective School Research? 
• The United States Department of Education provides detailed information about choosing a school and offers a great number of resources to help you make an informed decision when choosing a school for your child.

Check out our SLO brochure

CYS Facebook Page
 

Area Independent School Districts • On and Off Post

The On-Post School Locator identifies which school your child(ren) will attend.

Killeen ISD • Calendar

Copperas Cove ISD • Calendar

Belton ISD • Calendar

Florence ISD • Calendar

Salado ISD • Calendar

Temple ISD • Calendar

Gatesville ISD • Calendar

Lampasas ISD • Calendar

Jarrell ISD • Calendar

Documents Needed to Register Your Child in Public School

• Student's Birth Certificate
• Student's Social Security number
• Student's Immunization Record
• Proof of Residency (housing letter)
• Current IEP (if applicable)
• Most recent report card 
• Student's Immunization Record

Document Checklist for Schools

Schools Council (SC)

• SC Meeting Minutes September 2023
• SC Meeting Minutes 23 September 2022
• SC Meeting 16 September 2021
  • School District Presentations
• SC Meeting Minutes 24 September 2020
• SC Meeting Minutes 24 September 2019
  • Partners Resource Network - Empowering Parents through Education
  • College Board Presentation - Military Student Support
  • Gratitude Initiative Program Overview for Army Families
  • 60x30TX Plan Progress Report - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
• SC Meeting Minutes 04 October 2017 Signed
• SC Meeting Minutes 16 May 2017 Signed
• SC Meeting Minutes 24 Jan 2017 Signed
• SC Meeting Minutes 04 October 2016 Signed
• SC Meeting Minutes 13 August 2015 Signed

  ---

Working Group Created Resources

• Transition Support Forms
• Student Success - Parent Resources Flow Chart and Info Paper
• Special Education - Resources Flow Chart
• Special Education - FAQs

  ---

The Schools Council Meeting provides an opportunity for local schools and the military community to work together.  The SCM involves a variety of stakeholders to share education related information and listen to concerns expressed by parents of military-connected students.  This team will also enhance the ability of installation leaders and the Independent School District (ISD) administrators to make informed decisions related to issues of concern for military Families.

The Schools Council will also serve to promote quality educational environments for all students.  The meeting is chaired by the Garrison Commander and co-chaired by the DFMWR Director or Deputy Director.  It provides an opportunity for all Soldiers, regardless of rank, both active duty and retired, living on or off post, civilian employees, and Family members, to raise issues and concerns.  Once identified, issues are forwarded to the Schools Council Working Groups to develop solutions.  Outcomes from the Working Groups are shared with the Partners in Education Process Action Team (PIE PAT) and with all surrounding ISDs.  

The SCM is comprised of unit representatives, school district representatives (Superintendent, Executive Officer, Deputy or Assistant Superintendent), School Liaison Officers (SLOs), and subject matter experts (SMEs). 

This meeting is open to the public. 

Slide Presentation:  STAAR Program Updates, Spring 2023

• Education Summit Financial Aid
• GI Bill Brief
• Strengthen Parent Voice at ARD Meetings
• School Safety Update
• Top Issues Impacting Education

• Education Summit 2022 - Links below will be active soon

  • Main Slide Presentation

  • Break Out Sessions

    • Special Education Transitions and updates

      • IDEA - Process and Partnerships

      • IDEA- Process and Partnerships Resources

      • Parent Handbook for Special Education

      • Required Attendance at ARD Committee Meetings

    • Ready and Resilient (R2)

    • ArmyIngnitED Tuition Assistance

    • Military Interstate Compact

    • Testing and Accountability

    • Credentialing Assistance Program

      • Soldier Process Guide

  • Working Group Outcomes

    • Special Education

    • Student Success

• Student's Birth Certificate
• Student's Social Security number
• Student's Immunization Record
• Proof of Residency (housing letter)
• Current IEP (if applicable)
• Most recent report card 
• Student's Immunization Record

Document Checklist for Schools

Home schooling has become mainstream and widely-used. We offer resources and information to help you provide quality home-based education.

Home School Legal Defense Association provides information on home school law, and general support and information about homeschooling.

Transferring to a Public School the State of Texas does not award a diploma to students that are homeschooled. Homeschooled student can enter public school at any time but should be aware that most districts have policies and procedures in place to assess the masterly level of courses that students in homeschools have taken. The results of the assessment may be used for grade placement or award of credit or both.

• TEA Home School
• TEA Commissioner Homeschool Policy Letter
• TEA Homeschool Information Letter for Parents

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STARR)

State Requirements for Graduation

Texas Education Agency Home Schooling

Texas Education Agency

Special Education in Texas

Texas Virtual Academy

If you have a child with special needs, we can help you find the resources available in your school district. We can also connect you with your local installation’s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) office.

Exceptionl Family Member Program
Darnall Loop BLDG 36000, 2nd Floor
M-F 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed Federal Holidays
+1 (254)287-6070
Email Us

Additional EFMP Information

FFAF Health Plan: Diabetics

Highly mobile children are entitled to an expedited process, including: a) evaluations in 30 days instead of 60 days, b) removed delays due to school district schedules for Families moving during incomplete screenings, c) continued Extended School Year for students moving in the summer. The United State Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services outlines these requirements for State Directors of Special Education. 

The Center for Parent Information and Resources offers parent education, acronyms, tools, webinars and a directory of local Parent and Information Training Centers to appropriately advocate for their children, proactively supporting personal accountability. Funded by OSEP.

Military OneSource has a range of resources in caring for a family member with special needs: education, health care, legal, financial, points of contact (EFMP, School Liaisons, etc.)

Military Community & Family Policy-Office of Special Needs provides directory of age-specific resources and States at a Glance for state education special education resources and parent resources.

DirectSTEP provides no-cost, Army sponsored online training for educators and parents on a host of special education topics such as understanding federal requirements, best practices for behavior management, IDEA eligibility, IEPs and more. Through the eCourses parents and educators learn how to apply education laws in order to obtain positive outcomes associated with critical education issues. Access the course listing and registration page through the links below.

DirectSTEP course listing 

DirectSTEP registration

• Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
• Special Education FAQs
• Special Education Resource Flowchart
• Transitioning Your Student with Special Needs

We understand that military transitions for children include much more than school plans and enrollment. We have a number of resources to help make your move as easy as possible for the kids, including:

Military Kids Connect provides online age-appropriate resources to help parents, teachers and children cope with the unique challenges of military life.

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3) addresses key transition issues military Families experience, including enrollment, placement, attendance, eligibility and graduation. All 50 states have signed the compact and are in varying stages of implementation and/or compliance. The compact applies to children of Active Duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders and members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired within past year.

If you feel that you have an issue that the Compact can help address talk with your SLO.  The SLO is able to assist by connecting with both the sending and receiving school to assist in resolving the issue.  If it is not possible to resolve the issue locally, the SLO will help you work with the state commission, and if needed, the national office.

• Electronic Transfer of Student Records During COVID-19
• DoDEA Student Records Request 
• SLO Transition Letter
• Transitioning Your Student Before Arrival

• Gifted and Talented Program

Sponsorship

The Teen Sponsorship program helps relocate youth to become familiar with their new home and assists teens when moving to a new post. Each quarter a Hail & Farewell event is held.

Youth Centers are always looking for new teen sponsors. To participate, please contact the School Liaison Office (SLO).

School Transition and Support Video

Regional Supervisor
Military Family Life Counselors Program, Magellan Health Services
+1 (512)745-9938
Email Us

PDF Version

MFLC are currently in 44 schools located within Killeen Independent School District.

On Post Elementary: 5
Clark ES • Clear Creek ES • Meadows ES • Montague ES • Oveta Culp Hobby ES • Venable Village ES

Off Post Elementary: 23
Alice Douse ES • Brookhaven ES • Cedar Valley ES • Clements Parsons ES • Dr. Joseph A. Fowler ES • Richard E. Cavazos ES • Haynes ES • House Creek ES • Iduma ES • Mae Stevens ES • Maude Moore Wood ES • Martin Walker ES • Maxdale ES • Mountainview ES • Nolanville ES • Pershing Park ES • Reeces Creek ES • Saegert ES • Skipcha ES • Timber Ridge ES • Trimmier ES • Williams Ledger ES • Willow Springs ES

On Post Middle School: l
Audie Murphy MS

Off Post Middle SchooI: 9
Charles Patterson MS • Copperas Cove JH • Eastern Hills MS • Liberty Hill MS • Live Oak Ridge MS • Palo Alto MS • Roy J Smith MS • SC Lee JH • Union Grove MS

On Post High School 1
Early College HS

High School: 5
Copperas Cove HS • Ellison HS • Harker Heights HS • Killeen HS • Shoemaker HS

MFLC are

•    Masters or Doctorate-level licensed counselors specializing in child and youth behavioral issues.
•    Available at no cost to assist children and youth, parents, family members and staff of child and youth programs.
•    Available to provide short-term, non-­medical counseling support. 

Issues adressed:

• School adjustment
• Deployment and separation
• Reunion adjustment
• Sibling and parent-child communication
• Behavioral concerns
• Fear, grief and loss

MFLCs Provide a wide range of support to military children and youth, family members and staff who work with children by

 -  Engaging in activities with children and youth.
 -  Providing behavioral interventions in classrooms, at camps, and in Child Development Centers to assist staff in setting and managing boundaries.
 -  Model behavioral techniques and provide feedback to staff.
 -  Being available to parents and staff to discuss interactions with children and other concerns.
 -  Facilitating psytho-educational groups. 

Services are private and confidential with the exception of child abuse/neglect, domestic abuse and other duty-to-warn situations.

Our support doesn’t end with elementary education. If you have children preparing for academic life after high school, we can help you find information about testing opportunities, scholarships and military-specific resources that can help you plan.

The US Department of Veteran’s Affairs provides information about Military-Specific and Government Academic Support G.I. Bill

The Transferability of Educational Benefits for the Post 9/11 GI Bill are very specific. The Defense Manpower Data Center, through MilConnect will guide you through the transfer process and your eligibility to do so.  Speak with an Education Counselor prior to making this election in order to ensure you understand the benefit.

In-State Tuition Programs for Military: Service-members, active duty for a period of more than 30 days and their dependents are eligible to receive in-state tuition at many public colleges and universities in the state where they reside or are permanently stationed. An enrolled dependent may pay in-state tuition as long as he or she remains continuously enrolled at the institution, even if the service-member is reassigned outside of the state. Regulations outlined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act, 2008 (P.L 110 - 135) and the Higher Education Act of 1965 (pdf) apply.

The Installation Area Military Family Member Scholarship Fund established in 1985. It is a 501(c)(3) private organization under the supervision of the Garrison Commander. The Fund was designed to be the focal point for all family member scholarship activities on the Installation. In the last five years, the FHAMFMSF awarded 224 individuals $250,850 in scholarship funds.
 

"You Made the Grade" Program is designed to reward students, 1st -12th grade, for above-average academic achievement and to inspire them to work that much harder. Recognizing the student's academic accomplishments offers the Exchange an opportunity to make a contribution to the military community quality of life.

Qualifying students can receive a coupon booklet by presenting a valid military ID card and proof of an overall "B" or better average to their local Exchange. If a child is homeschooled, the student should provide written affirmation of their scholastic aptitude from a parent or other community-authorized education provider. Each coupon booklet contains an entry form for the Exchange gift card sweepstakes along with coupons that can be redeemed at Exchange facilities.

• Student Success Resource Flowchart and Parent Resource
   

Scholarships
Below is a list of Military-Connected Scholarships.  This is not a
comprehensive list; Families and students are also encouraged to contact
their school's guidance office for other scholarship opportunities.

View the Army School Liaison Officer Crowd-Sourced Scholarship Database
exclusively for Military-Connected Student.

Here are some additional web resources to assist you with your child’s education:

Academic Resources:

Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families makes live tutors available online 24/7 to help with more than 40 core subjects and standardized test preparation.

Homework Support: Army Child Youth & School Services provides Homework Labs in before/after school programs for elementary students at the School Age Center, and for middle and high school students at the Youth Center.

Khan Academy:

A personalized learning resource for all ages Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, SAT and more.    

Support/Resilience Resources:

School Support Services include information about other programs you can use for support and resilience-related issues.

Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) are available to meet in-person on or off the military installation. The free nonmedical sessions are anonymous and may occur in individual, couple, family or group settings. Child Behavioral Specialists are located on the installation in Child, Youth and School Services programs, and in highly impacted schools located on and off the installation.

Military OneSource has access to free nonmedical counseling that’s anonymous and available online, on the phone or in person. Twelve free sessions may occur in individual, couple, family or group settings.

Ready and Resilient Workshops for youth and educators are offered through the SLO and Youth Center programs. These workshops provide educators and students with the same tools Soldiers receive through their Ready and Resilient training. As Master Resilience Trainers SLOs strive to develop a common language around resilience for educators, youth and their parents.

For information on how to attend a class contact your local SLO.

College and Career Readiness Resources:

College and career readiness includes the content knowledge, skills and habits that students must have to be successful in postsecondary education. It also includes training that leads to a sustaining career. A student who is ready for college and career can qualify for and succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing college courses without needing remedial or developmental coursework. These links have tools that will help you plan for your child’s college and career readiness:

Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) provides STEM opportunities for military connected youth. The website provides information about AEOP programs available to youth, scholarship opportunities, news, and ways to get involved.

Military.com Scholarship Finder Military.com provides a search engine to help you find money for your child’s higher education needs. Search over 1000 scholarships intended for military youth. They also have a Military Scholarship Handbook.

School Support Services Scholarship Database Listing of crowd sourced scholarships for military connected youth. Scholarships are listed in alphabetical order and provide information on deadlines and qualifications.

 Financial Aid
 

Provides a description of federal student aid programs from the U.S. Dept. of Education  and how to apply for them.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply for federally funded financial assistance for education beyond high school.

Get Ready for College - College Planning, Financial Aid

Education Services Division
Soldier Development Center
761st Tank Battalion Ave BLDG 33009
M-F 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed Federal Holidays & Training Holidays
+1 (254)287-4824
+1 (254)287-4432

Additional ESD Services

Lead Counselor +1 (254)288-6313

Testing Officer +1 (254)287-7605

College Programs Manager +1 (254)287-4844

Career Skills Program Manager +1 (254)287-6518

Building Manager +1 (254)287-0615

Facility Reservations +1 (254)287-2986

Multi-Use Learning Facility +1(254)287-5839

Central Texas College Counselor +1 (254)287-8126

Charter Schools 

A charter school is a type of public school. The Texas Legislature
authorized the establishment of charter schools in 1995. 

There are four types of charters in Texas. They include:

1. Subchapter B Home-rule School District Charters - There are no home-rule school district charters in Texas.
2. Subchapter C Campus or Campus Program Charters - Independent school districts authorize and oversee these charters.
3. Subchapter D Open-enrollment Charters - Most charters in Texas fall under this category. The commissioner authorizes these charters. Before SB 2 passed in 2013, the State Board of Education (SBOE) was the authorizer.
4. Subchapter E University or Junior College Charters - The commissioner authorizes Subchapter E charters. Eligible entities include public colleges and universities.

Charter schools are subject to fewer state laws than other public schools. The reduced legislation encourages more innovation and allows more flexibility, though state law does require fiscal and academic accountability from charter schools. The state monitors and accredits charter schools just as the state accredits school districts.

Charter Schools PDF

Private Schools

Texas Education Agency  does not have oversight of private schools in Texas; however, the agency works with the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission to ensure that students can easily transfer from non-public to public schools and that teacher service at non-public schools is recognized at public schools for salary purposes. Private schools may be accredited by a variety of organizations, but many private schools in Texas are not accredited by any organization.

• Private Schools PDF

• Texas Education Agency Graduation Toolkit

Endorsements Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. Does every student have to graduate with an endorsement?
   No. A student may opt to graduate Foundation High School Program only without an endorsement if, after the student's sophomore year the student and the student's parent or guardian are advised by a school counselor of the specific benefits of graduating from high school with one or more endorsements and the student's parent or guardian files with a school counselor written permission, on a form adopted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), allowing the student to graduate under the Foundation High School Program without earning an endorsement.
    

2. Can a student earn more than one endorsement?
   Yes. A district must allow a student to enroll in courses under more than one endorsement before the student's junior year.
    

3. Can a student change endorsements? When?
   Yes. While a district is not required to offer all endorsements, a district must allow a student to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement other than the endorsement the student previously indicated from among the available endorsements.
    

4. I’m concerned that my small district cannot offer endorsements. What endorsements should a district be able to offer?
   Without altering the courses that a school district is currently required by SBOE rule to offer, a district should be able to offer at least three of the five endorsements.
   
   Multidisciplinary (all districts are required to offer at least four courses in each foundation subject area, to include English IV, Chemistry, and/or Physics)
   
   Business and Industry (TAC, §74.3(b)(2)(G) requires a district to offer a coherent sequences of courses from at least three CTE career clusters)
   
   STEM (TAC, §74.3(b)(2)(C) requires a district to offer at least six science courses)
    

5. Will all high schools be required to offer multiple endorsements, even those that focus 100% on STEM/engineering?

6. No. Statute requires each school district to make available to high school students courses that allow a student to complete the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement. A school district that offers only one endorsement curriculum must offer the multidisciplinary studies endorsement curriculum.
    

7. The new graduation rules include the following statement, “This section does not entitle a student to remain enrolled to earn more than 26 credits.” Does this mean that a student cannot earn more than 26 credits?
   No. This statement means that a student is not entitled to continue earning credits to earn endorsements indefinitely. A district may permit a student to earn more than 26 credits, but has the authority to deny a student’s request to continue earning credits beyond the 26 if the district determines that the student has sufficient credits to graduate with an endorsement.
    

8. May a course satisfy both a foundation and an endorsement requirement?
   Yes. A course completed as part of the set of four courses needed to satisfy an endorsement requirement may also satisfy a requirement under the Foundation High School Program, including an elective requirement. A student must still earn a total of 26 credits to graduate on the Foundation High School Program with an endorsement.
    

9. Do districts have the authority to require Algebra II or other specific courses for all endorsements?
   Yes. School districts have the authority to establish requirements in addition to what the state requires of students for graduation. This is a local decision.
    

10. Who decides what constitutes a coherent sequence of courses?
    Each local school district has the authority to determine a coherent sequence of courses and identify courses within that sequence as advanced courses for the purposes of satisfying an endorsement requirement, provided that prerequisites are followed.
     

11. In some endorsement options there doesn’t seem to be a clear sequence. Will the district determine the sequence in these cases?
    Yes. A school district determines the specific set of courses each student must complete to earn an endorsement, provided that prerequisites are followed and that the set of courses meets the requirements of the options listed for an endorsement in SBOE rule.
     

12. Should planning be approached by picking an endorsement and then planning the courses necessary to obtain that particular endorsement, or should it be approached by first picking courses and then discovering which endorsement area the sequence fits (at a later time)?
    This is a local decision.
     

13. Are students required to meet each of the options listed under an endorsement area, or they required to only meet one of the options?
    To earn an endorsement a student must complete any specific course requirements and one set of requirements identified in the endorsement rules. For example, to earn a business and industry endorsement, a student must complete the course requirements for CTE or the course requirements for English language arts electives, but not both.
     

14. Under the endorsements for which CTE courses are an option, is there a list of “advanced CTE courses that are the third or higher course in a sequence”?
    There is not a list of such courses. A school district may define advanced CTE courses keeping in mind the requirement that the course be the third or higher course in a sequence.
     

15. Can Career Preparation be used as the final course in a sequence for an endorsement for which there are CTE course options?
    No. Career Preparation may be used as one of the courses in the coherent sequence, but the final course must come from one of the career clusters listed in the rule.
     

16. If a student takes two CTE courses in his/her final semester, each from a different endorsement area, which endorsement would the student earn?
    If a student takes two CTE courses that align with two different endorsement areas, the local school district must determine which course is part of the coherent sequence of courses for that student. The career cluster of that course would determine which endorsement the student earns. This is a local decision.
     

STEM

1. Can AP Physics I satisfy the physics requirement for the STEM endorsement?
   Yes. College Board Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses may be substituted as appropriate for required courses.
    

2. Can Principles of Technology satisfy the physics requirement in the STEM endorsement?
   Yes. Principles of Technology addresses all of the TEKS for physics and credit may not be earned for both physics and Principles of Technology to satisfy science credit requirements.
    

3. The fifth option under the STEM endorsement says “a coherent sequence of three additional credits.” What does this mean?
   Students may earn a STEM endorsement by successfully completing Algebra II and three additional credits from no more than two of the following categories: the STEM CTE career cluster, computer science courses that may satisfy a STEM endorsement, mathematics courses beyond Algebra II, or science courses. The three additional credits must be a coherent sequence of courses as determined by the local district.
    

4. Which science courses may satisfy the science option under the STEM endorsement?
   The list of science courses that may satisfy a STEM endorsement are identified in TAC §74.13(e)(5).
    

5. Why is there a discrepancy between the number of courses required to earn a math STEM endorsement and the number of courses required to earn a science STEM endorsement?
   There is not a discrepancy in the number of courses. To earn a STEM endorsement in mathematics, a student must successfully complete a total of five courses: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and two additional math courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite. To earn a STEM endorsement in science, a student must successfully complete a total of five courses: biology, chemistry, physics, and two additional science courses.
    

Business and Industry

1. If a student on a business and industry endorsement program chooses a computer programming language to meet the foundation program Languages Other Than English (LOTE) requirement, will these courses satisfy both the LOTE requirement and the endorsement requirement under the Information Technology career cluster?
   No. The computer programming courses that are part of CTE are not options for satisfying the LOTE requirement. The only courses that are currently approved to satisfy the LOTE requirement are Computer Science I, II, and III. These courses may satisfy the LOTE requirement and may count toward a STEM endorsement, but not a business and industry endorsement. A student must still earn a total of 26 credits to graduate on the Foundation High School Program with an endorsement.
    

Public Services

1. May a student seeking a public services endorsement who is taking a sequence of courses in the Human Services career cluster use a course from another career cluster as part of the coherent sequence of courses?
   Yes. A coherent sequence of courses may include courses from any CTE career cluster provided that the final course in the sequence is obtained from one of the CTE career clusters identified under the public services endorsement. Districts must determine locally that courses from different career clusters create a coherent sequence of courses.

Arts and Humanities

1. Is it permissible to substitute an additional arts and humanities course for the fourth science requirement if the student is pursuing an arts and humanities endorsement?
   A student pursuing an arts and humanities endorsement who has the written permission of the student’s parent may substitute an English language arts course, a social studies course, a LOTE course, or a fine arts course for the additional science credit required to earn an endorsement.
    

2. Under the arts and humanities endorsement, if a student has taken English IV, can it count as part of the four English elective credits?
   Yes. A course completed as part of the set of four courses needed to satisfy an endorsement requirement may also satisfy a requirement under the Foundation High School Program, including an elective requirement. A student must still earn a total of 26 credits to graduate Foundation High School Program with an endorsement.
    

3. How many social studies courses are required for a student to earn an arts and humanities endorsement?
   The social studies option under arts and humanities requires that a student complete five credits in social studies.
    

Multidisciplinary Studies

1. Under the multidisciplinary studies endorsement, what courses will satisfy the requirement for “four advanced courses that prepare a student to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary education without remediation”?
   Each local school district has the authority to identify advanced courses for the purposes of satisfying an endorsement requirement, provided that they meet the definition above.

What is a Unique Military Child Identifier? Numerous states have enacted a voluntary report-only self-identification of military children within their public school systems. This data collection would allow monitoring of critical elements such as academic progress and proficiency, special and advanced program participation, mobility and dropout rates. Requirements and method of collection vary from state to state.

Impact Aid

Many local school districts across the United States include within their boundaries parcels of land that are owned by the Federal Government.  They must provide a quality education to the children living on the Indian and other Federal lands while sometimes operating with less local revenue than is available to other school districts, because the Federal property is exempt from local property taxes. 

Congress has provided financial assistance to these local school districts through the Impact Aid Program. Each year Military members and Federal employees complete a Survey Form. The amount of Impact Aid – or federal assistance –received is determined by the number of eligible parents/guardians who complete the survey form. It partially compensates school districts affected by federal activity for local tax losses resulting from tax-free federal installations.

Impact Aid Fact Sheet (we will provide a hand out to link to)

Impact Aid Website

Non-DoD School Program (NDSP)

At overseas/international locations where there is not a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school, NDSP supports a variety of options for your children, ranging from public or private schools to homeschool programs.  NDSP has a team of education specialists who are available to provide transition and educational support and coordination for all students, including those with special needs. Sponsors are encouraged contact the NDSP as soon as possible for specific school information. 

Email

Phone Number +1 (571)372-5863 or +1 (571)372-1897