- Kansas updates graduation requirements for 2024 freshmen.
- FAFSA completion now mandatory for seniors.
- New 'postsecondary assets' criteria introduced.
- Credit structure reshuffled, including STEM and communication focus.
- Physical education and health requirements modified.
- Financial literacy course added.
- Elective credits reduced to accommodate new mandates.
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TranscriptFor the first time in two decades, Kansas high schoolers will soon face a revamped set of graduation requirements, a decision made by the Kansas State Board of Education that will affect incoming freshmen from fall 2024, or the graduating class of 2028. Older students will continue under the old system, highlighting the significant shift for future students. The changes, resulting from a multiyear effort beginning with a task force in June 2021, aim to address gaps in the existing educational framework and better equip students for post-secondary success.
One of the notable introductions is the requirement for high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This move is designed to ensure students do not miss out on federal financial aid for which they might be eligible, addressing a gap where students might forego opportunities simply from a lack of application. For those who choose not to fill out the FAFSA, waivers are available from parents or exemptions by superintendents, offering flexibility in meeting this requirement.
Additionally, the new criteria mandate students to accomplish "two or more accomplishments approved by the state board that demonstrate the pupil will be a successful Kansas high school graduate." This broad category, termed "postsecondary assets," includes a variety of activities outside traditional classroom learning. From service projects, youth apprenticeships, and obtaining industry-recognized certifications to participating in athletics or completing college classes while in high school, the goal is to foster a more rounded, practical educational experience.
Despite these changes, the total credit requirement to graduate remains at twenty-one, consistent with past regulations. However, there's a reshuffling within the credit structure to accommodate new focuses. English language arts now includes a semester of communications, catering to business leaders' calls for better communication skills among graduates. The curriculum spans reading, writing, literature, grammar, and now, explicitly, communication.
In the realm of STEM, there's a new unit requirement in advanced science, technology, engineering, and math, reflecting the growing demand for employees with robust STEM education. This requirement is apart from the already mandated three units each in mathematics and science, underscoring the emphasis on a strong STEM foundation.
Physical education and health requirements have been modified, cutting PE from a full year to a semester, splitting the previous one unit of physical education that included health into two half credits of PE and health. This change aligns with student and parent feedback favoring reduced PE time.
A new entrant to the curriculum is a half unit in financial literacy, a course designed to cover essentials such as earning income, spending, saving, investing, managing credit, and managing risk. This addition comes after years of advocacy from Republican lawmakers for such a requirement.
The elective credit requirement sees a reduction from six units to four and a half to make room for these new mandates without increasing the overall credit minimum, ensuring students can meet the new requirements within the established framework.
These adjustments to Kansas high school graduation requirements represent a significant shift in the state's educational approach, aiming to not only maintain academic rigor but also to enhance students' practical skills and readiness for life beyond high school.
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