In combination with career and college exploration, and the High School and Beyond (HSBP) planning, completing a Graduation Pathway helps prepare students for life after high school. Washington state law requires all students to complete at least one graduation pathway, in alignment with their HSBP, to graduate. The graduation pathway requirement can be met through the following options:
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Sequence Graduation Pathway
- Complete 2.0 or more CTE credits in the same CTE program area that either include a dual CTE credit course, or lead to an industry-recognized credential
- Complete a Core Plus program (Manufacturing, Construction and Maritime available)
Armed Services (ASVAB) Graduation Pathway
- AFQT Section Score = 31 (check State Board of Education website by 9/1 annually)
Math and English Language Arts (ELA) Graduation Pathway: Can use any combination of the ELA and math options listed in this section
| Exam |
ELA |
Math |
| ACT |
n/a |
16 |
| ACT with writing |
14 |
16 |
| SAT or SAT with essay |
410 |
430 |
- Dual credit courses (1.0 credit total each for math and/or ELA)
- AP/IB/Cambridge: Earn a C+ or higher in state approve course (each term)
- CTE Dual Credit (must earn at least high school credit) 1
- College in the High School or Running Start (local approval of course options
- Dual credit exams (for applicable state-approved courses in math and/or ELA)
- Advanced Placement = 3 or higher exam score
- International Baccalaureate = 4 or higher exam score
State Level Assessments
- Smarter Balanced Assessment: Students meeting this graduation pathway need to earn at least the following scores on the high school ELA and math Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) of:
- Score on ELA - 2548
- Score on math – 2595
- Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement (WA-AIM) Assessment: The WA-AIM Assessment is designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Students participating in the WA-AIM may meet the graduation pathway requirement. The graduation scores identified by the State Board of Education for the WA-AIM are:
- Score on ELA - 104
- Score on math - 103
Transition courses (1.0 credit total for math and/or ELA course over one school year)
- School districts and STECs with current articulation agreement(s) for an indicated English language arts or math course. By passing the course indicated in the agreement (resulting in 100 level or higher college-level course placement), the course may be used as a graduation pathway.
- Passage of the Bridge to College course in English language arts or math may be used as a graduation pathway.
