Clear Lake High School – Independent Study: Journalism (Honors/GT)

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

This course may satisfy English IV graduation requirements but may not meet college admissions requirements for English. Students enrolled in Independent Study in Journalism write in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences and purposes. High school students enrolled in this course are expected to plan, draft, and complete written communications on a regular basis, carefully examining their copy for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English. Students will become analytical consumers of media and technology to enhance their communication skills. Published work of professional journalists, technology, and visual and electronic media are used as tools for learning as students create, clarify, critique, write, and produce effective communications. Students enrolled in Independent Study in Journalism will refine and enhance their journalistic skills, research self-selected topics, plan, organize, and prepare a project(s) Courses under this section are Language Arts Electives including the areas of Reading, ESOL/EB, Debate, and Journalism. 1540 Practical Writing Skills, 0.5-1 credit (state) Students in grade 12 who scored “Did Not Meet Grade Level” on the English I and/or English II STAAR EOC exam(s) may be placed in this course with counselor approval. This course emphasizes skill in the use of conventions and mechanics of written English, the appropriate and effective application of English grammar, the reading comprehension of informational and literary texts, and the effective use of vocabulary. Students are expected to understand the recursive nature of reading and writing. Evaluation of students’ own writing as well as the writing of others ensures that students completing this course are able to analyze and evaluate their writing. Support for English I and II EOCs may be provided in this course. # 1501/1502/1503 Reading I, II, III, 1-3 credits (state) Reading may be taken for one to three state elective credits; 1501S/1502S/1503S Reading I/II/III: Sheltered for Emergent Bilinguals; LPAC approval required; see page 136. Reading I, II, and III offers students reading instruction to successfully navigate academic demands as well as attain life-long literacy skills. Specific instruction in word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension strategies, and fluency provides students an opportunity to read with competence, confidence, and understanding. Students learn how traditional and electronic texts are organized and how authors choose language for effect. All of these strategies are applied in instructional-level and independentlevel texts that cross the content areas. Support for English I and II EOCs may be provided in this course. # 1411/1412 ESOL I, II Academic Support, 1-3 credits (local) Only students with limited English proficiency may enroll; see page 136. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Academic Support offers Emergent Bilingual students supplemental instruction in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending English, with a focus on the TEKS in English using strategies and methodologies appropriate for EB student. Students develop competence in English, preparing them to be successful in all academic subjects. These courses supplement the English language instruction students receive in the ESOL classes. Students may also receive academic support specifically geared for attaining success in other academic subjects. Emergent Bilingual (EB) Academic Support offers EB students supplemental instruction in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending English, with a focus on the TEKS in English using strategies and methodologies appropriate for EB students. Students develop competence in English, preparing them to be successful in all academic subjects. This course supplements the English instruction students receive in the Sheltered English classes. Students may also receive academic support specifically geared for attaining success in other academic subjects.