Richland 02 proposes removing district Career Prep program from graduation policy, replacing it with state employability credential

At the March 24, 2026 work session, Richland 02 administrators brought a first reading of proposed revisions to policy IKF (graduation requirements) that would remove the district's long-standing Career Prep program and explicitly reference the South Carolina high school employability credential as the recognized pathway for eligible students.

Senior chief academic officer Miss Morrison said the district's Career Prep program—created in 1999—has seen enrollment decline substantially: only 19 students were enrolled at the time of the presentation and two students earned the district Career Prep certificate in spring 2025. The administration argued the district now offers state-aligned work-based learning coordinators, career-readiness assessments and counselors at each high school and that the state credential provides clearer, recognized pathways for students who will not earn a traditional diploma.

Trustee Miss Porter and others pressed for details on how current Career Prep students would be served. Administrators said they plan to support the existing cohort so those students can finish the program with assistance from existing district job coaches, and to transition future students toward state-recognized credentials such as industry credentials, CTE completion, work-based learning outcomes, the ASVAB or adult-education certification.

Trustees also noted committee review had preceded the first reading and asked for committee-level documentation and a board brief to provide clarity on the specific programs (Project SEARCH, Voc Rehab, etc.) and how credits and credentials will transfer. The proposal remains at first reading and will return to the board after committee follow-up and additional documentation.