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Pettus ISD

At Pettus ISD, we teach Eagles to Soar!

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Curriculum, Assessment, & Accountability

Curriculum & Instruction

  • CREDIT BY EXAMINATION WITHOUT PRIOR INSTRUCTION 

    A student will be permitted to earn credit by examination for an academic course or subject area for which the student had no prior instruction for advancement or to accelerate to the next grade level.

    The examinations offered by the district are approved by the district's board of trustees. A student may take a specific examination only once per testing window. 

    If a student plans to take an examination, the student or parent must register with the school counselor no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled testing date. 

     

    Kindergarten - Grade 5

    A district shall develop procedures for kindergarten acceleration that are approved by the board. 

    A district shall accelerate a student in grades 1-5 one grade if the student meets the following requirements:

    1. The student scores 80 percent or above on a criterion-referenced test for the grade level to be skipped in each of the following areas: language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies;
    2. A district representative recommends that the student be accelerated; and, 
    3. The student's parent or guardian gives written approval of the acceleration. 19 TAC 74.24(b)

    Students in Grades 6-12

    A district shall give a student in grades 6-12 credit for an academic subject in which the student has received no prior instruction if the student scores: 

    1. A three or higher on a College Board advanced placement examination that has been approved by the board for the applicable course; 
    2. A scaled score of 50 or higher on an examination administered through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and approved by the board for the applicable course; or
    3. Eighty percent or above on any other criterion-referenced test approved by the board for the applicable course. 19 TAC 74.24(c)(8) 

    Credit by Exam Calendar 2024-2025

    CBE Testing Window

    Credit by Exam Process

    Credit-by-Exam Process

    Request for Credit by Exam without Prior Instruction

    Kindergarten Acceleration Pathway

    Grade-Level and Subject-Area Acceleration (Grades 1-12)

    World Languages

    Credit by Exam Preparation Material

    Pettus ISD does not provide review resources for credit by exams. The links below will provide information related to applicable credit by exam information. 

    Important Note:

    Some exams required that students complete reading and/or project assignments PRIOR to testing. It is the responsibility of the student and parent to check the review materials to ensure that any pretest requirements are met. 

  • Family Engagement Plan 

    "The mutual responsibility of families, schools, and communities to build relationships to support student learning and achievement, support family well-being, and the continuous learning and development of children, families, and educators. Family engagement is fully integrated in the child's educational experience and is both culturally and linguistically appropriate." Texas Administrative Code Section 102.1003. 

    The Pettus Independent School District program embraces the individuality and uniqueness of families, and promotes a culture of learning that is child-centered and age-appropriate. Building partnerships between educators and families ensures that every learner is encouraged, supported, and challenged to achieve the highest levels of knowledge, skills and character. 

    In accordance with the Commissioner's Rule 102.1003(f), Pettus ISD will establish the following family engagement strategies that are based on best practices research to support student learning, achievement, and family well-being. These practices are proven to demonstrate positive short-term and long-term outcomes for early childhood education. The Family Engagement Plan highlights the various examples of multitude of strategies that the elementary campus will select to participate in based on the individual needs of the students and parents. 

    The following Family Engagement Plan articulates strategies within each of the six domains. 

    Prekindergarten - Kindergarten Grade Parent Guides 

    Strong family engagement in early childhood programs is central to promoting children’s healthy intellectual, physical, and social-emotional development; preparing children for school; and supporting academic achievement in elementary school and beyond. 

    One way to promote strong family engagement is to equip families with tools to enhance and extend their child’s learning. Parent Guides have been created by the Texas Education Agency to help families understand some of the things their child will learn each school year. These resource documents have been developed for Prekindergarten 4, Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade. 

    Parents, use these documents to spark conversations and increase your knowledge on how you can support your child at home. 

     

    Early Childhood Education 

    Teach them to be kind. 

    Teach them to love.

    Teach them to listen.

    Teach them to be patient. 

    Teach them to be grateful.

    Teach them to value growth.

    Teach them to work together.

    Teach them to protect each other.

    Teach them goodness.

    It's Never Been More Important Than Now!

     

    Resources:

    Books Beginning at Birth

    VROOM

    Storyline Online

     

    Prekindergarten Resources:

    Texas PreK Guidelines - English

    Early Childhood Texas

    Early Childhood Intervention Services

    Act Early Texas

     

    Kindergarten Resources: 

    Kindergarten TEKS

    CLI Engage for Families

  • Legislation passed in 2013 (called "House Bill 5" or "HB5") made significant changes to high school graduation requirements, replacing the Minimum, Recommended, and Distinguished Achievement graduation plans with one Foundation program, on top of which students can earn endorsements and a "Distinguished Level of Achievement." TEA maintains a HB5 website with useful information. 

    TEA has provided a Graduation toolkit to help students, parents and counselors work through graduation plans.

    A document explaining the overview of the graduation requirements can be found here: 

    Graduation Program Overview

    ENDORSEMENTS

    In addition to the Foundation Plan, students are highly encouraged to graduate with at least one endorsement. Endorsements consist of a related series of courses that are grouped together by interest or skill set. The endorsement provides students with in-depth knowledge of a subject area. Students must select an endorsement in the ninth grade. All endorsements require the completion of four (4) math and four (4) science credits. 

    Pettus High School offers the following endorsements: 

    * Business & Industry

    * Public Service 

    Programs of Study Include:

    * Business & Industry

              - Agriculture Technology & Mechanical Systems

              - Animal Science

              - Business Management

              - Culinary Arts

    * Public Service

              - Teaching & Training 

    The Benefits of Graduating with an Endorsement

    DISTINGUISHED LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT

    In addition to the Foundation Plan and Endorsements, students are highly encouraged to graduate with a Distinguished Level of Achievement. A student may earn a distinguished level of achievement by completing four credits in mathematics, four credits in science, the remaining curriculum requirements and the curriculum endorsements for at least one of the five areas.  

    A document explaining the benefits of the Distinguished Level of Achievement can be found here:

    Distinguished Level of Achievement

    PERFORMANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

    In addition to the Foundation Plan, Endorsements and the Distinguished Level of Achievement, a student can earn Performance Acknowledgements. Students may earn an additional acknowledgement on their diploma because of outstanding performance in areas such as dual credit courses and bilingualism and biliteracy; on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, PSAT, ACT's Plan, the SAT or ACT exams; or by earning a nationally- or internationally- recognized business or industry certification. 

    The Performance Acknowledgements Flowchart can be found here: 

    Performance Acknowledgements Flowchart

    STATE TESTING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 

    Students are required to earn a Level II: Satisfactory Performance on each of 5 End-of-Course (EOC) exams - Algebra I, Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History. Students who earn high school credit through dual enrollment at Coastal Bend College are still required to pass the corresponding EOC. 

    Score levels are printed on a student's transcript and his/her graduation plan. 

    CPR TRAINING GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 

    According to TAC Chapter 74 Rule 74.38, in order to graduate and receive a high school diploma, a student should receive mandatory CPR training. Pettus High School delivers this training annually to high school seniors on a specified date.

    SPEECH GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 

    To receive a high school diploma, a student must demonstrate proficiency, as determined by the district in which the student is enrolled, in the following: 

    * Delivering clear verbal messages

    * Choosing effective nonverbal behaviors

    * Listening for desired results

    * Applying a valid critical thinking and problem solving processes

    * Identifying, analyzing, developing, and evaluating communication skills needed for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group interactions, and personal and professional presentations.  

    Pettus High School instructs these students in these skills in English III and English IV.

    PROPER INTERACTION WITH PEACE OFFICERS TRAINING GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 

    According to TAC Chapter 74 Rule 74.39, in order to graduate and receive a high school diploma, a student must receive mandatory instruction on proper interaction with Peace Officers. Pettus High School delivers this training annually to high school seniors on a specified date. 

    FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 

    According to House Bill 3, in order to graduate and receive a high school diploma, a student must do one of the following in order to graduate: 

    * Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

    * Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)

    * Submit a signed opt-out form (included below). 

    Financial Aid Application Opt-Out Form

     

    TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY: FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 

    PETTUS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PLAN 

    Pettus High School Graduation Plan

    REQUIRED NOTIFICATION REGARDING ALGEBRA II 

    Required Notification Regarding Algebra II