The Recommended High School Program and The Distinguished Achievement Program
College Preparatory Courses for Grades 9-12.
The Recommended High School Program (RHSP) offers courses that give you the best opportunities to succeed in technical school, community college or a four-year university in Texas. The RHSP will become the default curriculum for Texas public high school students effective for the 2004-2005 academic year.
Special Distinction
The Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) goes beyond the RHSP. It requires advanced schoolwork that reflects college- or professional-level skills. To earn this honor, students must complete any combination of four of the advanced "measures" listed below:
- Score 3 or above on a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam, or score 4 or above on an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam. Each exam = one measure.
- Complete original research or project under the direction of mentor(s), judged by qualified professionals, and reported to a qualified audience.
- Earn a Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) score that qualifies you as a "Commended Scholar" or higher.
- Earn a grade of 3.0 or higher on courses that count for college credit.
You may be eligible for a TEXAS Grant to help pay college expenses if you complete either of these two programs and demonstrate financial need.
Courses & Credits that Fulfill the Recommended High School Program
Courses designated "AP" are Advanced Placement courses.
Courses designated "IB" are International Baccalaureate courses.
| English, Language Arts, and Reading | 4 credits |
English I, II, III, IV English I and II for Speakers of Other Languages (SOL) may be substituted for English I and II only for immigrant students with limited English proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 3 credits | Algebra I, II, & Geometry |
| Science* | 3 credits |
(No more than one credit from each area. One credit must be a biology credit.) Biology, AP Biology, or IB Biology Integrated Physics and Chemistry Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or IB Chemistry Physics, Principles of Technology I, AP Physics, or IB Physics |
| Social Studies | 3 1/2 credits |
World History Studies (one credit) World Geography Studies (one credit) U.S. History Studies Since Reconstruction (one credit) U.S. Government (one-half credit) |
| Economics | 1/2 credit | |
| Physical Education | 1 1/2 credits | |
| Health Education | 1/2 credit | |
| Fine Arts | 1 credit | |
| Languages Other Than English* | 2 credits | (must consist of Level I and Level II in the same language) |
| Speech* | 1/2 credit | (Communication Applications required) |
| Technology Applications | 1 credit | |
| Electives* | 3 1/2 credits | (See list of courses approved by the State Board of Education for grades 9-12) |
*Recommended High School Program requirements for students entering grade 9 in the 2001-2002 school year and thereafter. Speak to your high school counselor regarding the requirements for you to graduate under this program or for substituting courses.
