Washington Board Proposes School Graduation Changes

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  Washington’s State Board of Education proposed updated high school graduation requirements on July 24, 2026“Washington’s Board of Education proposes new high school graduation requirements — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:10:00 +0000 High school students in Washington may soon have more options to connect coursework with their career plans. In the first comprehensive update to graduation requirements in over a decade, the state Board of Education is retooling the current framework with an eye to better prepare students for life after graduation. Washington high school students are required to complete 24 credit hours. That number won’t change, but personalized credit opportunities would be expanded. In September, the board is expected to vote on a final proposal, which would then be sent to the Legislature for consideration in next year’s session. The soonest any changes would take effect is for the class of 2031. While drafting the graduation requirements over two years, members of the board’s FutureReady Task Force spoke with hundreds of students, families and educators and consulted with federally recognized tribes. “Our students, and communities whose voices are not often at the education policy table, have clearly communicated the provisions they want to see — and we are listening,” said Mary Fertakis, chair of the Washington State Board of Education. Under the proposal, students would be required to take 15 credits of core classes instead of 17. The number of credits under what’s called the Personalized Pathway Requirements would increase from three to five. The personalized track currently includes two standard credits of global languages and an art class.”
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  The proposal marks the first major overhaul in over a decade“In the first comprehensive update to graduation requirements in over a decade, the state Board of Education is retooling the current framework with an eye to better prepare students for life after graduation.”
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  The proposal reduces core class credits from 17 to 15“Under the proposal, students would be required to take 15 credits of core classes instead of 17.”
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  The proposal increases personalized pathway credits from three to five“The number of credits under what’s called the Personalized Pathway Requirements would increase from three to five.”
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  Students would still need 24 total credits“Washington high school students are required to complete 24 credit hours. That number won’t change, but personalized credit opportunities would be expanded.”
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  The board’s FutureReady Task Force gathered input from hundreds of students, families, and educators“While drafting the graduation requirements over two years, members of the board’s FutureReady Task Force spoke with hundreds of students, families and educators and consulted with federally recognized tribes.”
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  The input gathering process took two yearsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Changes would require legislative approvalNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Changes would take effect for the 2031 graduating class“The soonest any changes would take effect is for the class of 2031.”
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  The board chair stated, 'Our students, and communities whose voices are not often at the education policy table, have clearly communicated the provisions they want to see — and we are listening'“"Our students, and communities whose voices are not often at the education policy table, have clearly communicated the provisions they want to see -- and we are listening," said Mary Fertakis, chair of the Washington State Board of Education.”