HEALTH AND PE WILL REMAIN IN FWISD 2009-2010 CURRICULUM 

Fort Worth, Texas - With approval of House Bill 3 by the 81st Texas Legislature high school graduation requirements changed for Texas students. The change eliminates the required health, technology applications and one semester of physical education. The changes apply to the Recommended HS Graduation Plan only. 

The intent of the new legislation was to provide students with more options and flexibility. Initially it was believed these changes would be phased in over a period of time. However, the Texas Education Agency recently announced that the new requirements will take effect immediately. 

These changes create some real challenges for the Fort Worth ISD, at least in the short term. To change student schedules this late in the planning process would require students to be counseled about their new options, some staff would have to be terminated or teach other courses for which they are certified, certified teachers for appropriate courses would have to be found and an entire new master schedule would have to be created.   

“Frankly, this is not something we can handle on such short notice,” said Superintendent Melody Johnson. “Therefore, the Fort Worth ISD won’t make any changes in master schedules or student schedules for the 2009-2010 school year.  This affords us the time fully understand how these changes may affect all of our students’ educational ambitions.” 

Policies and procedures will be in place soon so that counselors can help parents and students make informed decisions going forward.  The Fort Worth ISD remains committed to all of our students as they prepare for success in college, careers and life. 

-FWISD-