State Board launches multi‑year review of high school graduation requirements

The Washington State Board of Education staff on Wednesday described the newly launched Future Ready initiative, a multi‑year review intended to comprehensively update the state's high school graduation requirements and produce a legislative proposal by fall 2026.

The board's deputy executive director, Kaylee (Jaylee) Schultz, told members the effort will be “Future Ready, which is 1 of the strategic plan initiatives. And it is focused on comprehensively updating Washington's high school graduation requirements through a collaborative process involving a wide range of education partners.” The initiative will be guided by a cross‑sector task force and community liaisons, she said.

Board staff framed Future Ready as more than a credit count change. Schultz said the task force will examine a profile of a graduate, transferable and essential skills, interdisciplinary learning and the…