The Future is High School
The Future is High School
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
Learn more
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
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
Core Competencies
Identify the core competencies necessary for high school graduates
Learn more
Policy Action
2

Core Competencies
Core Competencies
Identify the core competencies necessary for high school graduates
Learn more
Policy Action
2

Core Competencies
Core Competencies
Identify the core competencies necessary for high school graduates
Learn more
Policy Action
2

Core Competencies
K-16 Alignment
Align high school graduation requirements with college eligibility for the state’s public higher education institutions and directly admit students
Learn more
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
Learn more
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
Learn more
Policy Action
3

K-16 Alignment
Community-Led Redesign
Invest in community-led high school redesign and provide flexibility and guidance to empower innovation
Learn more
Policy Action
4

Community-Led Redesign
Community-Led Redesign
Invest in community-led high school redesign and provide flexibility and guidance to empower innovation
Learn more
Policy Action
4

Community-Led Redesign
Community-Led Redesign
Invest in community-led high school redesign and provide flexibility and guidance to empower innovation
Learn more
Policy Action
4

Community-Led Redesign
Postsecondary Credits
Give all high school students the opportunity to earn postsecondary credits
Learn more
Policy Action
5

Postsecondary Credits
Postsecondary Credits
Give all high school students the opportunity to earn postsecondary credits
Learn more
Policy Action
5

Postsecondary Credits
Postsecondary Credits
Give all high school students the opportunity to earn postsecondary credits
Learn more
Policy Action
5

Postsecondary Credits
Internships and Apprenticeships
Credit high school students for work-based learning and apprenticeships
Learn more
Policy Action
6

Internships and Apprenticeships
Internships and Apprenticeships
Credit high school students for work-based learning and apprenticeships
Learn more
Policy Action
6

Internships and Apprenticeships
Internships and Apprenticeships
Credit high school students for work-based learning and apprenticeships
Learn more
Policy Action
6

Internships and Apprenticeships
Professional Development
Invest in professional development tools and resources for educators, focused on project-based and competency-based learning strategies
Learn more
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
Learn more
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
Learn more
Policy Action
7

Professional Development
Next-Generation Assessments
Implement the next generation of assessments that measure competencies along with academic knowledge and skills
Learn more
Policy Action
8

Next-Generation Assessments
Next-Generation Assessments
Implement the next generation of assessments that measure competencies along with academic knowledge and skills
Learn more
Policy Action
8

Next-Generation Assessments
Next-Generation Assessments
Implement the next generation of assessments that measure competencies along with academic knowledge and skills
Learn more
Policy Action
8

Next-Generation Assessments
Redesigned Transcripts
Redesign student transcripts to communicate the full breadth of student competency
Learn more
Policy Action
9

Redesigned Transcripts
Redesigned Transcripts
Redesign student transcripts to communicate the full breadth of student competency
Learn more
Policy Action
9

Redesigned Transcripts
Redesigned Transcripts
Redesign student transcripts to communicate the full breadth of student competency
Learn more
Policy Action
9

Redesigned Transcripts
Success Data
Publish data on student postsecondary success for every high school
Learn more
Policy Action
10

Success Data
Success Data
Publish data on student postsecondary success for every high school
Learn more
Policy Action
10

Success Data
Success Data
Publish data on student postsecondary success for every high school
Learn more
Policy Action
10

Success Data
About
From insights to actions
These actions draw on more than 10 years of collaboration and practical experience with students, educators, and policymakers.
About
From insights to actions
These actions draw on more than 10 years of collaboration and practical experience with students, educators, and policymakers.
About
From insights to actions
These actions draw on more than 10 years of collaboration and practical experience with students, educators, and policymakers.