DuPage HSD 88 board adopts postsecondary-commitment graduation requirement starting 2026

The DuPage HSD 88 Board of Education voted to adopt a new graduation requirement that, beginning in August 2026, will require all district graduates to have a postsecondary commitment and to complete at least one career-related experience.

The board approved the policy change by motion and roll-call vote after the proposal was presented to the board and previously discussed at the district Curriculum Council on April 15 and at the board—s April 28 meeting. The requirement also directs each student to create an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) to document postsecondary planning and the career-related experience.

Board members framed the change as a district-wide graduation standard; the motion was moved and seconded and then approved on a roll-call vote with the members recorded as voting "Yes." The board did not attach additional qualifying language or carve-outs in the motion on the night it passed.

The requirement sets a starting date (August 2026) and two concrete elements: (1) a documented postsecondary commitment (such as college enrollment, employment, trade-school placement, military service, or other program) and (2) at least one career-related experience. The ILP will serve as the means for students and staff to track completion of those elements.

School staff had brought the proposal forward after prior review by the Curriculum Council; the board voted to adopt the requirement rather than postpone for additional study. Implementation details such as how postsecondary commitments will be verified and which experiences qualify were not specified in the board motion and remain to be finalized by district staff.

The board—s action changes the district—s graduation criteria beginning with students who will complete requirements on or after August 2026. The board did not specify additional funding or reporting requirements as part of the adopted motion.