The only organization dedicated solely to helping state boards advance equity and excellence in public education.

Career Pathways and Graduation Requirements

i
The Standard

Getting Students Career Ready

Every student needs academic and technical skills to prepare them for life and every student needs to plant their feet on a career pathway during their K-12 journey.

read more

i
Policy Update

State Boards Wrestle with Graduation Policy during Pandemic

States acted quickly to suspend end-of-year assessments and amend graduation requirements for high school seniors amid COVID-19. This policy update highlights trends in state guidance around graduation and grade advancement and how some are addressing inherent equity challenges.

read more

How Advance Placement Courses Fit within Career and Technical Education Programs

Did you know that by 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require postsecondary education or training beyond high school? All students need relevant knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century economy, prompting schools and states to consider integrating college- and career-ready course work. The College Board and Advance CTE recently partnered […]

read more

Power of the Question

Five Questions State Boards Should Ask to Advance College and Career Readiness

State boards can leverage dual enrollment opportunities, rigorous coursework, new graduation pathways, course alignment with high-opportunity careers, skill building for the jobs of the future, and tracking of student attainment after graduation to expand college and career readiness.

read more

The Standard - Article

Reengaging High School Students through Career Academies

When built around four key elements, academies deliver rigorous, relevant learning tied to students' career aspirations.

read more
The Standard - Article

How State Leaders Can Stand Up for the COVID Generation of High Schoolers

Families need better data on students' academic progress; students need meaningful learning experiences and better information on postsecondary options.

read more
The Standard - Column

State Board Voice: Kentucky's Portrait of a Learner

When fully implemented, portraits of a learner become the lever by which teachers, schools, and communities rebalance learning expectations.

read more
event

Reimagining High School: The Role for State Leadership

This webinar will explore what it takes to redesign a high school and how state policy can catalyze—or hinder—transformation at scale.

read more
The Standard - Article

Telltale Signs of Rigor and Career Readiness in High School

State boards can take a lesson from schools that already dish up rigorous assignments in college- and career-ready courses alike and ensure more schools do it.

read more
The Standard - Article

How Rhode Island Increased the Value of a High School Diploma

New graduation requirements aim to align with college admission standards and address inequities in college and career readiness.

read more
The Standard - Article

Merging High School and College: The Early College High School Model

Six elements in statewide law and policy pave the way for effective programs that help more students thrive in college courses while they are still in high school.

read more
The Standard

High Schools That Matter

This issue of The Standard reimagines the high school experience, illuminating the data, policy reforms, and engagement with students, families, and educators that must align to make redesign possible.

read more