Improving High School Graduation Requirements

Nineteen states have successfully garnered the support of the K-12, postsecondary and business communities to raise high school graduation requirements to reflect what college- and workforce-bound students should know and be able to do after graduation. This process involves making decisions regarding required courses and course credits, aligning required courses in college and career ready expectations, and considering options for rigorous graduation policies that serve all of a state’s high school students.  Below are some issues to consider when raising graduation requirements:

• How to raise both graduation standards and graduation rates;
• Whether to make the graduation requirements mandatory for all students or to provide opt-out provisions, permitting students with parental and school consent to opt into a less rigorous set of courses;
• Awarding credit based demonstration of proficiency either in lieu of or in addition to seat time;
• Teaching rigorous courses in ways that are more engaging and relevant for students;
• Providing teachers with better training, professional development and instructional tools; and
  

• Creating a system of intensive and sustained student supports.

This five step plan and Achieve’s report Aligning High School Graduation Requirements with the Real World: A Road Map for States can be useful in helping you to get started.