Austin ISD's Board of Trustees established the Distinguished Level of Achievement graduation plan as the district's default graduation plan beginning with the Class of 2018.

The trustees also approved the requirement of one credit of physical education and one half credit of health to meet graduation requirements for all plans beginning with the Class of 2018.

House Bill 5 replaces the Minimum, Recommended and Distinguished Achievement Programs with three graduation options: the Foundation High School Program, the foundation plan plus endorsements, and the foundation plan plus endorsements and the Distinguished Level of Achievement.  

Based on survey information from parents, middle and high school principals and Campus Advisory Councils from each middle and high school, the HB 5 Policy Planning Committee for Graduation Plans recommended the Distinguished Level of Achievement graduation plan as the district's default plan. The committee also recommended that one credit of physical education and a half credit of health be included to meet graduation requirements for AISD students.