New Graduation Guidelines

Colorado Graduation Guidelines mean changes for students, school districts, and local boards of education Life beyond high school is different from what it used to be. Most jobs in Colorado now and in the future require training or education beyond high school. Students who graduate and work in Colorado will need in-demand skills that meet business, industry, and higher education standards.

Colorado Graduation Guidelines provide a road map to help students and their families plan for success after high school. Students in middle and high school must think about their passions and interests and plan for their future.

The guidelines have two purposes, the first is to articulate Colorado’s shared beliefs about the value and meaning of a high school diploma. The second is to outline the minimum components, expectations, and responsibilities of local districts and the state to support students in attaining their high school diploma.

The guidelines mean changes for students, school districts and local boards of education. Ninth-graders in fall 2017 will be the first class to demonstrate competency—or show what they know—in English and math in order to graduate from high school.

The state board of education adopted the guidelines in September 2015. The guidelines include a state menu of college and career-ready demonstrations. Local school boards and districts may select from this menu to create a list of options their students will use to demonstrate competency in subjects that reflect Colorado standards and 21st century skills in order to graduate from high school.

Work groups of educators, parents and students statewide are continuing conversations to identify implementation recommendations, best practices, and tools and resources. The goal is to support school districts and school leaders in implementing career and college ready demonstrations such as capstone projects, 21st century skills, individual career and academic plans (ICAP), industry certificates, special populations, assessments, and concurrent enrollment.