The Future is High School

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High schools shape the future for our young people, the economy and our nation. But they’re rooted in a century-old model built for the industrial age, even as the world is changing faster than ever. 
For over a decade, XQ has worked with communities to redesign high school. The Future is High School draws on that experience and everything we know about adolescent development. It outlines ten policy actions grounded in three core areas: clear goals, powerful learning experiences, and measures that matter. Together, they have the potential to drive better high school experiences and outcomes for our young people—and the country as a whole.
The suite includes 51 tailored reports covering every state and D.C., a frontier guide outlining a vision for excellence, and this website—a living resource that we’ll update regularly to capture progress across the country.

Mastery-Based Credits

Grant all districts flexibility to credit learning based on competency rather than seat time.

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Policy Action

1

Mastery-Based Credits

Mastery-Based Credits

Grant all districts flexibility to credit learning based on competency rather than seat time.

Learn more

Policy Action

1

Mastery-Based Credits

Grant all districts flexibility to credit learning based on competency rather than seat time.

Core Competencies

Identify the core competencies necessary for high school graduates

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Policy Action

2

Core Competencies

Core Competencies

Identify the core competencies necessary for high school graduates

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Policy Action

2

Core Competencies

Identify the core competencies necessary for high school graduates

K-16 Alignment

Align high school graduation requirements with college eligibility for the state’s public higher education institutions and directly admit students

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Policy Action

3

K-16 Alignment

K-16 Alignment

Align high school graduation requirements with college eligibility for the state’s public higher education institutions and directly admit students

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Policy Action

3

K-16 Alignment

Align high school graduation requirements with college eligibility for the state’s public higher education institutions and directly admit students

Community-Led Redesign

Invest in community-led high school redesign and provide flexibility and guidance to empower innovation

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Policy Action

4

Community-Led Redesign

Community-Led Redesign

Invest in community-led high school redesign and provide flexibility and guidance to empower innovation

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Policy Action

4

Community-Led Redesign

Invest in community-led high school redesign and provide flexibility and guidance to empower innovation

Postsecondary Credits

Give all high school students the opportunity to earn postsecondary credits

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Policy Action

5

Postsecondary Credits

Postsecondary Credits

Give all high school students the opportunity to earn postsecondary credits

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Policy Action

5

Postsecondary Credits

Give all high school students the opportunity to earn postsecondary credits

Internships and Apprenticeships

Credit high school students for work-based learning and apprenticeships

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Policy Action

6

Internships and Apprenticeships

Internships and Apprenticeships

Credit high school students for work-based learning and apprenticeships

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Policy Action

6

Internships and Apprenticeships

Credit high school students for work-based learning and apprenticeships

Professional Development

Invest in professional development tools and resources for educators, focused on project-based and competency-based learning strategies

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Policy Action

7

Professional Development

Professional Development

Invest in professional development tools and resources for educators, focused on project-based and competency-based learning strategies

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Policy Action

7

Professional Development

Invest in professional development tools and resources for educators, focused on project-based and competency-based learning strategies

Next-Generation Assessments

Implement the next generation of assessments that measure competencies along with academic knowledge and skills

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Policy Action

8

Next-Generation Assessments

Next-Generation Assessments

Implement the next generation of assessments that measure competencies along with academic knowledge and skills

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Policy Action

8

Next-Generation Assessments

Implement the next generation of assessments that measure competencies along with academic knowledge and skills

Redesigned Transcripts

Redesign student transcripts to communicate the full breadth of student competency

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Policy Action

9

Redesigned Transcripts

Redesigned Transcripts

Redesign student transcripts to communicate the full breadth of student competency

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Policy Action

9

Redesigned Transcripts

Redesign student transcripts to communicate the full breadth of student competency

Success Data

Publish data on student postsecondary success for every high school

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Policy Action

10

Success Data

Success Data

Publish data on student postsecondary success for every high school

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Policy Action

10

Success Data

Publish data on student postsecondary success for every high school

From insights to actions

These actions draw on more than 10 years of collaboration and practical experience with students, educators, and policymakers.

High school is where America’s future takes shape. Today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators, problem solvers, and leaders—but our schools are still rooted in a century-old model built for the industrial age. As automation and AI transform the job market, too many students leave high school unprepared for what comes next. We know better is possible.