FutureReady: Washington State's Graduation Requirements Under Review

Graduation capsPhoto byGood Free PhotosonUnsplash

The Washington Board of Education has initiated a multi-year effort to revise the state's high school graduation requirements, citing concerns that current standards do not adequately prepare all students for success. This initiative, called “FutureReady,” is part of the Board's 2025 legislative platform, which was recently approved. The Board is seeking an additional $273,000 in the upcoming 2025-2027 budget from the Legislature to support this initiative.

The Board's request highlights “widespread concern” among students, educators, and employers regarding the lack of essential skills in current graduation requirements, such as technology literacy, financial education, and cultural understanding. The Board warns that the state risks inadequately preparing students for the future, which could have long-lasting consequences.

In 2020, only 51% of Washington’s high school seniors enrolled in college or other post-secondary education within a year of graduation, a figure significantly lower than the national average and below states with similar economies, like Virginia and Massachusetts. Perhaps it was COVID-related, yet there were still online options that could have been accessed. Additionally, graduation and college readiness rates for particular student groups are not meeting state goals.

While lawmakers have attempted to address some deficiencies by introducing legislation in 2024 to add financial education and computer science competency as graduation requirements, neither bill passed. The Board believes that piecemeal additions could strain the system without considering broader implications.

A memo from the Board emphasizes that the focus should not be on simply modifying existing requirements but rather on creating a comprehensive framework that equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills for a changing world.

Current graduation requirements are described as rigid and complicated, resulting from numerous additions over the past two decades, which disproportionately burden marginalized students, including those who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color, youth in foster care, refugees, and students with disabilities.

The Board of Education plans to propose new graduation requirements to the Legislature in 2027, expecting that they will not be implemented until the class of 2031 or later. What do you think? Do you think Washington State high school students need more graduation requirements? Why or why not?

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