Aligning High School Graduation Requirements with the Real World
Author: Achieve, Inc., Washington, DC.
Publisher:
Published: 2007
Total Pages: 33
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe link between strong academic preparation in high school and success in college and careers is clearer than it has ever been. Recognizing that the standards students have to meet in the "real world" have become more demanding, governors and policymakers in a growing number of states are taking action to increase the requirements for earning a high school diploma, thus ensuring students graduate with the skills they need to be successful. This policy brief captures lessons learned by states that have put higher requirements in place. It addresses the most frequently cited challenges of policy design as well as strategies for implementation, communication and coalition building. Specifically, the brief describes how to: (1) determine the parameters of the graduation policy; (2) design an accountability system that provides schools with incentives to graduate students college and career ready; (3) plan for successful implementation; and (4) build support for the graduation policy. Also included is a chart showing comparison of state college- and career-ready high school graduation requirements.