Texas Education Agency Graduation Toolkit Glossary

What is Course Credit?

• A unit of measure awarded for successful completion of a course.

• A type of financial aid for students.

• A penalty for failing a course.

• A measure of attendance in class.

Who is a CTE Completer?

• A student who completes, passes, and receives credit for three or more CTE courses for at least four or more credits, including at least one level three or level four-course.

• A student who enrolls in CTE courses but does not complete them.

• A student who only takes one CTE course and receives credit for it.

• A student who participates in CTE activities without taking any courses.

What is the Distinguished Level of Achievement?

• A high level of academic achievement earned by going beyond the Foundation High School Program, requiring 26-course credits, including Algebra II, four credits in both math and science, and an endorsement.

• A basic level of academic achievement requiring only 22-course credits and no specific math or science requirements.

• An advanced placement program that allows students to earn college credits while still in high school.

• A certification program for vocational training that requires 30-course credits and specific industry certifications.

What is Advanced Academics?

• Courses, programs, assessments, services, and supports that provide opportunities for students to demonstrate college and career readiness and earn postsecondary credit.

• A set of extracurricular activities designed to enhance student engagement.

• A program focused solely on advanced placement courses for high school students.

• An online platform for students to access educational resources.

What are End-of-Course Exams (EOC)?

• State-mandated tests given during the final weeks of a high school course. Five EOC exams are required to earn a diploma from a Texas public high school.

• Optional assessments that students can take to improve their grades.

• Standardized tests that are administered at the beginning of the school year.

• Exams that are only required for students in advanced placement courses.

What is Advanced Placement (AP)?

• A program that offers vocational training for high school students.

• College-level coursework designed by the College Board that provides students the potential to earn college credit with a qualifying score on an AP exam.

• A standardized test for measuring high school students' academic performance.

• An online learning platform for college courses.

Who is a CTE Concentrator?

• A student who completes, passes, and receives credit for two or more CTE courses for at least two credits within the same CTE Program of Study.

• A student who enrolls in a single CTE course without completing it.

• A student who participates in CTE programs but does not earn any credits.

• A student who completes a CTE program and receives a diploma.

What is Dual Credit?

• A process by which a high school student enrolls in a college course and receives simultaneous academic credit for the course from both the college and the high school.

• A program that allows college students to take high school courses for credit.

• A system where high school students can only take online courses for college credit.

• A method for high school students to earn extra credit by participating in community service.

What are Endorsements?

• Areas of specialized study including STEM, business and industry, arts and humanities, public services, and multidisciplinary studies.

• A type of financial support for educational programs.

• A method of evaluating student performance in standardized tests.

• A certification process for teachers in specialized subjects.

What are Performance Acknowledgments?

• Additional acknowledgments on transcripts for outstanding performance in areas such as dual credit courses, bilingualism, biliteracy, and various exams or certifications.

• A type of financial aid for students pursuing higher education.

• A recognition program for teachers based on student performance.

• A standard grading system used in schools.