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OSSE lays out new high-school graduation proposal including advising touchpoints and endorsements
Summary
OSSE presented proposed amendments to DC graduation requirements: four advising touchpoints, six optional diploma endorsements, renaming community service to "community engagement" with a reduction from 100 to 60 hours, and adding financial literacy; the board agreed to place a resolution on the August public meeting agenda.
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education presented a package of proposed amendments to the District's high-school graduation regulations on Aug. 5, saying the changes are intended to increase postsecondary readiness and give students more flexible pathways. "We are excited to have this conversation," Superintendent Mitchell told the State Board, outlining proposals that include four human advising touchpoints during high school, a new financial literacy requirement and six optional diploma endorsement tracks.
OSSE said the endorsements would recognize focused study in areas such as career and technical education, AP, and dual enrollment, and that the community service requirement would be reframed as "community engagement" and reduced to 60 hours after community feedback that 100 hours was onerous. Dr. Jones described the timeline the agency expects if the board approves the resolution: the rules would target the 9th-grade cohort entering school year 27-28 and be followed by a rulemaking period and guidance for LEAs. Board members pressed OSSE on implementation: who will be responsible for advising touchpoints, whether LEA discretion on GPA weighting for endorsements risks inconsistency, and how competency-based credit options would be made accessible. OSSE responded that LEAs would apply for competency-based waivers and that the agency will create guidance and monitoring mechanisms to support implementation.
The board voted to agendize SR 26-14, the resolution approving amendments to the graduation requirements, for the upcoming public meeting while members continued to press OSSE to clarify access for students pursuing competency-based options.
