Performance Acknowledgments

• Complete a minimum of 3 credits in the same foreign language with a grade of 80+.   
• Demonstrate proficiency on the Texas Knowledge and Skills for Level IV or higher in a foreign language with a grade of 80+.   
• Complete 3 credits in any foreign language with a grade of 80+. 
• Demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English through one of the following methods:  
  • Score a 3 or higher on a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam for a language other than English; or
  • Earn performance on a national assessment of language proficiency in a foreign language of at least Intermediate High, or equivalent.

An English language learner (ELL student) must also have participated in and met exit criteria of a bilingual or English as a second language (ESL) program AND scored Advanced High on the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS).  

 

College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exam   

A student may earn a performance acknowledgment by earning a score of 3 or above on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam.   

The 2025 AP Exams will be administered in schools over two weeks in the spring. (May 1–5 and May 8–12) 

International Baccalaureate Exam* Katy ISD does not offer the International Baccalaureate program  

A student may earn a performance acknowledgment by earning a score of 4 or higher on an International Baccalaureate examination for a higher-level languages other than English course.   

PSAT, SAT, or ACT Performance   

A student may earn a performance acknowledgment by earning a qualifying score on one of the following exams.  

1. Earn a score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) that qualifies the student for recognition as a commended scholar or higher by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, or as an awardee of the National Recognition Programs of the College Board; 
2. Earn a combined critical reading and mathematics score of at least 1350 on the SAT.
3. Earn a composite score on the ACT examination of 29 (excluding the writing subscore).  
   
   
   

Nationally or Internationally Recognized Business or Industry Certification or License   

Students may earn a performance acknowledgment for earning a state-recognized or nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license as follows:

A student may earn a performance acknowledgment with: 

• performance on an examination or series of examinations sufficient to obtain a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification; or 
• performance on an examination sufficient to obtain a government-required credential to practice a profession.
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Nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification shall be defined as an industry-validated credential that complies with the knowledge and skills standards promulgated by a nationally internationally recognized business, industry, professional, or government entity representing a particular profession or occupation that is issued or endorsed by: 

• a national or international business, industry, or professional organization;   
• a state agency or government entity, or   
• a state-based industry association.   
  
  
  

Certifications or licensures for performance acknowledgments shall:

• be age appropriate for high school students;   
• represent a student’s substantial course of study and/or end-of-program knowledge and skills;   
• include an industry-recognized examination, an industry validated skill test, or demonstrated proficiency through documented, supervised field experience; and  
• represent substantial knowledge and multiple skills needed for successful entry into a high-skill occupation.