Students can earn high school credit in a variety of ways beyond traditional classroom instruction. The Earning Credit page explains options to:
- Recover credit for courses previously failed or incomplete,
- Earn credit independently through testing or self-paced courses, and
- Take courses on a Pass/Fail basis when appropriate.
These pathways provide flexibility for students to stay on track for graduation, accelerate learning, or complete courses at their own pace.
Credit by Exam (CBE)
Credit by Exam (CBE) allows students in grades 6–12 to earn course credit by demonstrating mastery of course content through an approved examination. CBE may be used for course acceleration, credit validation, or, in some cases, credit recovery. Austin ISD uses Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved examinations provided by the University of Texas and Texas Tech University.
Exams are administered through the Office of Systemwide Testing and are typically offered at no cost for acceleration during scheduled district testing dates. Students must work with their counselor to determine eligibility, complete required application forms, and meet testing deadlines. Study guides for high school courses are available through the University of Texas Distance Education and Texas Tech Distance Learning websites.
Exams are scored by the testing provider and returned to the district. Passing scores are recorded on the student’s transcript and may be used in calculating grade point average (GPA) and class rank. Failing scores are not recorded on the transcript.
Students who have not received prior instruction in a course may take a CBE to earn credit for the course if they demonstrate mastery.
Requirements for earning credit:
- Score 80% or higher on the CBE assessment,
- Score 3 or higher on an AP exam, or
- Score a 50 or higher on a CLEP exam.
Additional Guidelines:
- Failing scores are not recorded on the transcript.
- A passing grade earned through CBE will not be yearlong averaged with a failing grade for award of credit.
- Passing grades may be yearlong averaged with grades earned in the classroom, traditional setting, or credit recovery programs.
- Students may not rescind a CBE request once the test is completed.
- Students may not retake an acceleration CBE for a higher grade once they meet minimum passing standards.
- Credit earned through CBE will be recorded on the transcript as a non-weighted course, except for AP or CLEP exams.
- Examination scores for high school courses will be used in computing GPA and class rank.
Students who have received formal instruction in a course may take a CBE to earn or validate credit.
Requirements for earning credit:
- Score 70% or above on a District-approved CBE that covers essential knowledge and skills for the course.
Additional Guidelines:
- Failing scores are not recorded on the transcript.
- If a student does not pass, they may retest one time at their own expense through a UT or Texas Tech testing center.
- Passing grades may be yearlong averaged with grades earned in the classroom, traditional setting, or credit recovery programs.
- Students may not rescind a CBE request once the test is completed.
- Students may not retake a CBE for a higher grade once minimum passing standards are met. They may also not use CBE to replace an existing passing grade.
- Credit earned through CBE will be recorded on the transcript as a non-weighted course, unless earned through AP or CLEP exams.
- Examination scores for high school courses will be used in computing GPA and class rank.
DELTA
The DELTA Program is an academic option for students currently enrolled at Navarro, offering individualized, self-paced instruction to help students earn credits and graduate on time. Courses are completed during a scheduled class period, allowing students to work at their own pace while meeting the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements for courses they have previously failed or need to take.
Students typically access course materials through an online platform, though DELTA teachers may also provide offline instruction using AISD curriculum when needed. Enrollment continues throughout the school year until all assigned courses are successfully completed.
Garza High School Online
Garza High School Online offers AISD students the opportunity to enroll in self-paced online courses for credit recovery or credit acceleration. Courses must be completed within a two-semester period during the Garza academic year. These courses are free for AISD students in grades 8–12.
To enroll, students must first receive approval from their cohort counselor and submit an online application to Garza High School Online. For more information, contact Garza High School Online at (512) 414-8622.
Pass/Fail Courses
High school students may choose to take certain courses on a Pass/Fail (P/F) basis. This option allows students to earn course credit without the grade impacting their grade point average (GPA). Pass/Fail courses must be taken beyond state and district graduation requirements and cannot be used to satisfy elective credit requirements for the student’s declared graduation plan.
Pass/Fail Guidelines:
Students must request Pass/Fail status no later than the last instructional day of the first nine weeks of the semester.
Approval is required from the principal or designee, the course teacher, and the student’s parent or guardian.
Pass/Fail status must be requested each semester and cannot be changed once approved.
This option is available only for courses that award high school credit.
Numerical grades are recorded during the grading periods, but the final course grade will appear as “P” (Pass) or “F” (Fail) on the transcript.
Transfer courses with a Pass or Fail grade will remain recorded as “P” or “F,” will not be included in GPA calculations, and may count toward graduation credit requirements based on the sending district’s determination.
Twilight Evening School
Twilight Evening School gives high school students the opportunity to regain lost credits during extended hours, Monday through Thursday, 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Students can complete courses through online or teacher-led instruction.
The program supports students in staying on track to graduate by helping them:
Recover and re-enroll students who have dropped out, using extended hours as an incentive.
Regain high school course credits.
Prepare for standardized tests, including EOC preparation classes.
Yearlong Averaging
Yearlong averaging allows students to earn full course credit by combining both semester averages and dividing them by two. For example, if a student earns a 64 in Semester 1 and a 76 in Semester 2, the two grades are averaged to a 70, and the student earns full credit for the course.