Board approves focused graduation pathway allowing GED tests to count toward core credits

The Salt Lake City School District Board of Education voted June 17 to authorize staff to apply to the Utah State Board of Education to implement a focused graduation pathway that permits certain juniors and seniors to use GED subject tests to make up missing core credits.

The pathway applies to students who are significantly behind in the four core areas — English, math, science and social studies — and meet minimum eligibility: juniors who are six credits behind or seniors who are three credits behind in those content areas, are at least 16 years old and demonstrate at least a ninth-grade reading level. Participation requires parental consent. Dr. Tiffany Hall said schools would use practice tests and preparatory support before students take official GED tests.

Why it matters: the change allows some students who lack specific core credits to graduate with their cohort and remain enrolled in the high school rather than move to adult education programs. Hall said passing GED subject tests can earn up to four high-school credits in a content area and is counted as pass/fail, not a letter grade. She told the board the district still requires students to meet all other state graduation requirements, including the district's 24-unit minimum.

What the board approved: the board voted to authorize district staff to complete the state application and prepare local procedures permitting the focused pathway to be used beginning in the fall, with implementation steps over the summer to prepare schools and test logistics.

Key details provided at the meeting: - Eligibility: juniors 6 credits behind or seniors 3 credits behind in the 4 core areas; minimum age 16; minimum ninth-grade reading level (district plans to use CASAS assessment); parental consent required. - Testing: students must take a practice test (cost referenced as $8 per content area) before the official GED content-area test (cost $36 per content area). The district is pursuing authorization for Horizonte to be an official testing center and exploring foundation or school-based funding to cover assessment costs in 2025–26. - Academic effect: GED content-area scores (example thresholds discussed by staff) may allow colleges to grant credit and can place students into credit-bearing college classes without remedial coursework.

Board discussion and concerns: board members sought clarity about the rigorous nature of the GED tests, how the ninth-grade reading threshold would be measured, and whether the pathway could be misused. Hall said the practice-test requirement and reading-level minimum are safeguards and that students who do not demonstrate preparation would be directed to preparatory coursework. Several board members urged staff to return with more procedural detail and an implementation timeline.

Outcome and next steps: the motion to approve the focused graduation pathway application was moved, seconded and carried in a roll-call vote. Staff will submit the state application, finalize district procedures, confirm testing sites and work with schools this summer to prepare supports and parental communication.