Along with all of the stress that comes with starting their freshman year of high school, students who will graduate in the year 2019 and beyond, or current eighth-grade students, will be required to achieve added credit requirements to graduate from high school through a plan called Core 24 going into effect in Washington state.

Core 24 is designed to assist high school students in Washington state with developing a plan for high school and afterwards, regarding the choices for their high school coursework. The overall goal is to align their coursework choices with their future college and career goals, stated a Washington State Board of Education document provided by Principal Bob Celebrezze.

According to the document, this 24 credit graduation requirement should help students by providing them not only with flexibility, but a strong academic foundation in preparation for their plans after high school, whether they are to attend a University, join the Army, pursue a career, or so on.

In addition to the required credits that high school students must attain to graduate currently, there is a one credit increase each in science, arts, and foreign languages. Besides the required credits, students must decide on a Personal Pathway Requirement to determine one of three diploma types: college emphasis, career emphasis, or college and career ready. With these added requirements, the number of credits mandatory for students to graduate in the class of 2019 and beyond will be raised from 20 to 24 credits.

“It will certainly add to their workload because they have to pass all of their classes, there is no leeway,” said counselor Mary Howie. “If students fail a course, they will have to complete summer school.”

Some Career and Technical Education equivalent courses may be used as substitutes for some courses: math and science, for example. There is also an exception to the current graduation requirement of a passing grade in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. To replace an Algebra II credit, students may take a rigorous math course if it benefits the student personally in their career path and furthers their high school and beyond plan, as stated in the document.

“The whole idea is when kids graduate from high school, they will have a stronger academic background so they can choose which direction they want to go from there,” said Howie.

The document adds that additional exceptions include the ability to waive fitness credits, some requirements may be satisfied in middle school and, if there are unusual circumstances, up to two credits may be waived.