Students tell board: protected time, real-world skills and adult guidance matter for 'Future Ready' plans

A panel of middle and high school students told the Washington State Board of Education they want meaningful, personalized preparation for life after high school: protected time with an adult to plan, applied learning tied to career interests, and courses that connect to real postsecondary options.

Students from Pullman and other districts described senior-year projects, dual credit and CTE classes as experiences that shaped their decisions about college and careers. Several said they wished they had started planning or taken pathway-specific classes earlier.

"It would've been better to start thinking about college way before or have a class specifically made to talk about it," said one student. Panelists emphasized financial literacy, resume and interview preparation, taxes, housing and banking as high-value topics for a High School & Beyond Plan course or module.

Panelists also urged the board to preserve access across districts and to ensure rural or smaller schools aren't left behind. They flagged inequities in offerings: some schools have culinary or welding programs while others have limited CTE options.

Staff noted student feedback will guide how the board structures future-ready graduation recommendations; the board will return in August with draft language. Board members praised the students' candor and said the input would be central to design decisions.

Why it matters: Students are primary stakeholders for graduation policy changes. Their consistent requests for protected planning time, hands-on learning, and financial education shaped staff discussion about designing default state supports — with local flexibility for districts that already have models that work.