(WDNews) – High school students in Alabama graduating in 2026 will be the first required to meet new state college and career readiness standards in order to receive their diplomas. The Alabama State Department of Education outlined the updated graduation criteria in its latest strategic plan.
In addition to earning the existing 24 academic credits, students must now also complete at least one of several “college and career readiness indicators” established by the department. These indicators, as listed in official state documentation, include:
- Earning a benchmark score in any subject area on the ACT exam,
- Scoring at least a 3 on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam,
- Scoring at least a 4 on an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam,
- Receiving college credit,
- Achieving a silver or gold level score on the ACT WorkKeys exam,
- Completing an in-school youth apprenticeship program,
- Earning a career technical industry credential approved by the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways,
- Gaining military acceptance before graduation,
- Attaining Career and Technical Education (CTE) completer status,
- Or fulfilling any other indicator approved by the Alabama State Board of Education.
According to the Alabama State Department of Education’s Alabama Achieves: A Strategic Plan for a Stronger Education System, students earning diplomas through the Essentials Pathway or the Alternate Achievement Standards Pathway will be exempt from these new readiness requirements.
