Graduation Requirements
Classes of 2025-2029
High School & Beyond Plan
The High School and Beyond Plan, a graduation requirement that students start in middle school, establishes a blueprint that builds toward a diploma and their long-term goals. Students outline how they will meet the high school graduation requirements and what they want to do after graduation. A student adjusts their plan throughout their high school journey, based on changing interests and goals.
24-Credit Requirement
| Subject | Number of Credits | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | |
| Math | 3 |
|
| Science | 3 |
|
| Social Studies | 3 |
|
| Arts | 2 |
|
| World Language | 2 |
Both credits may be a Personalized Pathway Requirements** |
| Health & Fitness | 2 |
|
| Career & Technical Education | 1 |
May be an Occupational Education course that meets the definition of an exploratory course as described in the CTE program standards. Refer to the High School Course Catalog. |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Washington State History | Requirement | Student earns .5 Social Studies Credit |
| Computer Competence | Requirement | Computer Competency Assessment available |
*The 3rd credit of science and the 3rd credit of math are chosen by the student based on the student's interest and High School and Beyond Plan, and approved by the parent or guardian, or if the parent or guardian is unavailable or does not indicate a preference, the school counselor or principal (WAC 180-51-068).
**Personalized Pathway Requirement are related courses that lead to a specific post high school career or educational outcome chosen by the student based on the student’s interests and High School and Beyond Plan, that may include Career and Technical Education, and are intended to provide a focus for the student’s learning.
Middle School Credit Opportunities
Middle School Algebra 1-2
Credit: 1
Middle School Geometry 1-2
Credit: 1
Washington State History for 7th Graders
Credit: .5 Social Studies credit if student passes both semesters
Spanish 1-2
Credit: 1
Other High School Credit Opportunities
- 0 and 7-Hour Courses
- STAMP Language Testing
- College In The High School
- Summer School: Tri-Tech Skills Center and High Schools
- Online Courses
- Elective Credit for Paid Work Experience
0 and 7-Hour Courses
STAMP Language Testing
College In The High School
Summer School: Tri-Tech Skills Center and High Schools
Online Courses
Elective Credit for Paid Work Experience
High school students may now receive elective credit for documented and verified paid work experience:
- 180 hours of paid work experience = 0.5 credits
- 360 hours of paid work experience = 1.0 credit
in order to receive credit, students must:
-
Be 16 years and older.
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Complete and return the Work Experience for Request & Approval Form.
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Be enrolled in the Workplace Experience course (see High School Course Catalog).
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Provide employer verification of actual paid hours.
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Show proficiency of the state financial education learning standards from their work experience by completing and submitting the Work Verification and Proficiency and Growth in Meeting Financial Literacy Standards Form to their counselor for approval at the conclusion of the work experience.
-
Students will earn a Satisfactory when hours are met and verified. Students who do not meet the hours requirement or do not provide verification of hours, will receive an Unsatisfactory on their transcript.
Computer
To earn Computer Competency Credit, students must pass the Computer Competency Assessment.
Next Steps:
- Register to take the Computer Competency Assessment.
- Prepare for the assessment by reviewing the Computer Competency Assessment Information .
Physical Education
In order to earn Physical Education Competency Credit, students must participate in directed athletics or military science (i.e. school sports; officially organized/regulated community sports under the supervision of a coach; JROTC) AND pass the Physical Education Competency Assessment.
Next Steps:
- Compete and return the Direct Sports Participation Form
- Complete and return the Physical Education Competency Credit Fitness Log
- Register to take the Physical Education Competency Assessment. To prepare for the assessment, study the Physical Education Knowledge Assessment Study Guide
Test Dates:
All testing will be held at the Administration Center
World Language
KSD proudly honors students who excel in multiple languages through the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy. This distinction is awarded to high school graduates proficient in English and at least one other language.
In order to earn the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy, students must meet the following criteria:
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Proficiency in English: Students must meet or exceed the standard on the state's standardized English language arts assessment (e.g., Smarter Balanced) required for high school graduation.
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Proficiency in a World Language: Students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. Proficiency can be demonstrated through a variety of assessments, including language proficiency exams, coursework, and standardized tests. Proficiency levels and assessments may vary, so please consult with your high school's World Language Department for specific requirements.
Learn more about how to earn the Seal of Biliteracy and World Language Competency credits.
Graduation Pathway Options
Students demonstrate their readiness to enter a postsecondary career or attend college by completing one of the 8 required graduation pathways, which align to their High School & Beyond Plan.
- State Assessments
- Dual Credit (High School and college)
- ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)
- SAT/ACT
- Performance-based
- Combination
- ASVAB*
- CTE Sequence*
State Assessments
Smarter Balanced Assessment
To meet this graduation pathway option, students need to earn at least the graduation score on the high school English Language Arts (ELA) and math Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) of:
- Score on ELA—2548
- Score on math—2595
The scores for graduation, identified by the State Board of Education in August 2015, were based on previous tests used for graduation and are below the level identified by the Smarter Balanced Consortium as on-track for career and college readiness—Level 3. The State Board of Education periodically reviews scores on state assessments. If the Board adjusts scores for graduation pathway options in the future it would be through a public process concluding in approval at a public meeting.
Note: Only students in the classes of 2021 and prior have access to the Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA) as a graduation pathway, which includes both off-grade assessments and meeting the L2 threshold. Students in the Classes of 2022 and beyond, if using the SBA as their graduation pathway, would have to hit the graduation scores to be considered to have completed that pathway.
WA-AIM (Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement)
The WA-AIM is designed for student with significant cognitive challenges. If determined to be appropriate by their Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, students with an IEP may meet this graduation pathway option with the WA-AIM state assessment. The graduation scores identified by the State Board of Education (in August 2015) for the WA-AIM are:
- Score on ELA—104
- Score on math--103
Dual Credit (High School and college)
Students must earn at least one (1) high school credit in English and one (1) high school credit in math to meet this graduation pathway option. Dual credit courses that qualify for this pathway are courses that earn high school graduation credit in English and math, and that allow students to earn college credit at the 100-level or higher (the college course number must be 100 or higher). Dual credit programs include:
- College in the High School
- Running Start
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit
Students do not have to pay fees or claim college credit to meet this pathway, but they must meet the state or local program criteria or articulation agreement requirements. For CTE dual credit courses to meet this pathway requirement, the course must have a state or local course equivalency to meet high school subject area graduation requirements in English or math.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)
To meet this graduation pathway option, the student must pass specified courses with a C+ (2.3) grade or higher in AP, IB, or Cambridge International course; or pass the associated assessment at a specified level. Students must pass at least one course or exam in English language arts and one course or exam in math.
Advanced Placement
The AP courses that meet this option in English language arts are:
- English Language and Composition
- English Literature and Composition
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Psychology
- United States History
- World History
- United States Government and Politics
- Comparative Government and Politics
- European history
- Human geography
- African American studies
- Seminar
- Research
The AP courses that meet this option in math are:
- Statistics
- Computer Science A
- Computer Science Principles
- Precalculus
- Calculus
Students must earn a C+ (2.3) grade or higher each term in one of these courses, or score a 3 or higher on the exam associated with these courses.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
The IB courses that meet this option in English language arts are:
- Individuals and societies courses
- English language and literature courses
The IB courses that meet this option in math are:
- Mathematics
- Computer science
SAT/ACT
To meet this pathway, students need to earn at least the graduation score established by the Board on the SAT and ACT. The available options and the graduation scores are listed below. A graduation cut-score on the ACT (no Writing) is not available at this time. The State Board of Education will consult with OSPI on whether and how this graduation pathway option may be available to students.
| Pathway Option | SAT Score | ACT with Writing | ACT (no Writing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | 430 | 16 | 16 |
| English Language Arts | 410 | 14 | N/A |
(The SAT cut scores and the ACT ELA scores were adopted by the Board at the August 15, 2016 Board meeting. The ACT math score was established through concordance with SAT.)
Performance-based
The Performance-Based Pathway option begins with the Class of 2025 and allows students to show what they know and can do in real-world, hands-on ways that align with their individual goals for life after high school. This student-centered pathway is intended to be customizable, with the aim of being relevant and engaging to the student. Learn more.
Click here for FAQs.
Combination
Students may use different pathway options to meet the requirements for English and math. For example, a student may meet the English graduation pathway option using the state assessment, and the math graduation pathway option using a transition course. The graduation pathway options that may be used in combination are:
- Smarter Balanced Assessment
- WA-AIM
- Dual Credit
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- SAT
- ACT
ASVAB*
To meet the ASVAB graduation pathway option, students must meet the minimum score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) to be eligible to serve in a branch of the armed services at the time the student takes the test. The AFQT is a component of the ASVAB (not a separate test). Satisfying this graduation pathway option meets requirements in both English and math.
The current score students must meet (this score will be confirmed and updated here at least annually by September 1. Students may choose to meet either the minimum score the year a student take the ASVAB or the score established by any branch of the military posted here on a later date prior to the student turning 21 years of age.):
Score: 31
Date posted: August 28, 2023
To meet the graduation pathway option, the student must take the ASVAB while in high school. (The military has age and other restrictions concerning the acceptance of the ASVAB. Different branches of the military and different careers in the military will require higher scores so students considering a military career should look into military entrance requirements. See more information about the ASVAB pathway on SBE's ASVAB web page.)
CTE Sequence*
A student may meet this graduation pathway option by completing a sequence of CTE courses, which align with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan. Satisfying this graduation pathway option meets requirements in both English and math. A course that is used as part of a CTE sequence may also be used to meet subject area graduation requirements in CTE or in other subject areas through CTE course equivalencies.
To meet this pathway students may either:
- Complete a Core Plus program in
- Aerospace
- Maritime
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Construction
- Manufacturing; or
- Complete a 2-credit sequence of courses that meet the following minimum criteria:
- Lead to a state or nationally recognized certificate or credential, or allow students to earn dual credit through CTE Dual Credit, Advanced Placement, or other agreement or program.
- Be comprised of a sequenced progression of multiple courses that are technically intensive and rigorous.
- Lead to workforce entry, a state or nationally approved apprenticeship, or postsecondary education in a related field.
- The sequence of courses may be in a single CTE program area, or in more than one program area.
If the sequence of courses is in more than one program area, it must be approved by:
- A local school board or designee, or a local district CTE advisory committee, and
- By OSPI through an expedited approval process, whereby the sequence would be deemed approved if the district does not receive a response from OSPI within 45 calendar days.
- OSPI must provide a written explanation if the sequence is not approved.
- Once approved, a local sequence may be implemented by other districts upon notifying OSPI (further approval by OSPI is not necessary).
*Note: Students who pursue these pathways (ASVAB or CTE) do not need to meet English and math requirements separately. English and math content are embedded in both pathways—and a student who meets either the ASVAB standard or the CTE pathway requirements has met the graduation pathway requirement.