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KCKPS outlines "Diploma Plus" goal to pair every diploma with a career or college endorsement
Summary
Kansas City Kansas Public Schools leaders described Diploma Plus as a districtwide approach to ensure every graduate leaves with concrete college- or career-ready endorsements, listing seven pathways and setting a district target for universal endorsements by January 2031.
Dr. Anna Stubblefield, superintendent of Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, said Diploma Plus means students "will exit our high school, prepared for college and careers in a global society." She described seven endorsement pathways that can earn a student a Diploma Plus designation, including 18'30 hours of college credit, industry-recognized credentials, the IB diploma, military acceptance, completion of a qualified internship or industry-approved project, and an approved postsecondary transition plan.
Stubblefield said the district is tracking standardized benchmarks such as a 21 ACT (or roughly a 1060 SAT) as one route to an endorsement and emphasized that Diploma Plus work begins before high school with exposure in elementary and middle grades. "This is the plus," she said, contrasting Diploma Plus endorsements with the district's baseline high school diploma requirements. The superintendent framed the program as both college- and career-focused so students can pursue multiple pathways depending on their goals.
The district has set a "North Star" target that by January 2031 every KCKPS graduate will earn a Diploma Plus endorsement while meeting or exceeding state graduation averages. Stubblefield said the district will track incremental progress and expand programs across all six high schools and alternative schools. She closed by urging parents, businesses and community partners to contact district staff to support student opportunities.
