High School Transformation
The Future is High School
A Strategy for State Leaders to Accelerate Learning, Work, and American Renewal
High School Transformation
The Future is High School
A Strategy for State Leaders to Accelerate Learning, Work, and American Renewal
High School Transformation
The Future is High School
A Strategy for State Leaders to Accelerate Learning, Work, and American Renewal
The 10 state policy actions
below build upon XQ’s work with communitieso implement high school redesign decades of research in the science of learning and insights
from educators, school administrators, and district and state partners.
Expand flexibility to award credit based on demonstrated mastery, not seat time
Policy Action
1
Mastery-Based Credits
Establish statewide graduate profiles aligned with academic and real-world competencies
Policy Action
2
Core Competencies
Align high school graduation requirements with public postsecondary eligibility and use direct admissions to streamline the pathway
Policy Action
3
K-16 Alignment
Invest in community-led high school redesign initiatives
Policy Action
4
Community-Led Redesign
Ensure universal access to advanced coursework that can lead to college credit
Policy Action
5
Postsecondary Credits
Award credit for rigorous, work-based learning, including internships and apprenticeships
Policy Action
6
Internships and Apprenticeships
Invest in educator preparation for student-centered, deeper learning models
Policy Action
7
Professional Development
Pilot and scale next-generation assessments of mastery and deeper learning
Policy Action
8
Next-Generation Assessments
Develop modern transcripts that reflect a broader range of student achievement
Policy Action
9
Redesigned Transcripts
Report postsecondary enrollment and completion data by high school
Policy Action
10
Success Data
Expand flexibility to award credit based on demonstrated mastery, not seat time
Policy Action
1
Mastery-Based Credits
Establish statewide graduate profiles aligned with academic and real-world competencies
Policy Action
2
Core Competencies
Align high school graduation requirements with public postsecondary eligibility and use direct admissions to streamline the pathway
Policy Action
3
K-16 Alignment
Invest in community-led high school redesign initiatives
Policy Action
4
Community-Led Redesign
Ensure universal access to advanced coursework that can lead to college credit
Policy Action
5
Postsecondary Credits
Award credit for rigorous, work-based learning, including internships and apprenticeships
Policy Action
6
Internships and Apprenticeships
Invest in educator preparation for student-centered, deeper learning models
Policy Action
7
Professional Development
Pilot and scale next-generation assessments of mastery and deeper learning
Policy Action
8
Next-Generation Assessments
Develop modern transcripts that reflect a broader range of student achievement
Policy Action
9
Redesigned Transcripts
Report postsecondary enrollment and completion data by high school
Policy Action
10
Success Data
Expand flexibility to award credit based on demonstrated mastery, not seat time
Policy Action
1
Mastery-Based Credits
Establish statewide graduate profiles aligned with academic and real-world competencies
Policy Action
2
Core Competencies
Align high school graduation requirements with public postsecondary eligibility and use direct admissions to streamline the pathway
Policy Action
3
K-16 Alignment
Invest in community-led high school redesign initiatives
Policy Action
4
Community-Led Redesign
Ensure universal access to advanced coursework that can lead to college credit
Policy Action
5
Postsecondary Credits
Award credit for rigorous, work-based learning, including internships and apprenticeships
Policy Action
6
Internships and Apprenticeships
Invest in educator preparation for student-centered, deeper learning models
Policy Action
7
Professional Development
Pilot and scale next-generation assessments of mastery and deeper learning
Policy Action
8
Next-Generation Assessments
Develop modern transcripts that reflect a broader range of student achievement
Policy Action
9
Redesigned Transcripts
Report postsecondary enrollment and completion data by high school
Policy Action
10
Success Data
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.
%
Only 45% of students say they feel prepared for the future.
%
Only 45% of students say they feel prepared for the future.
%
Only 45% of students say they feel prepared for the future.
%
60% of secondary teachers report lack of student interest in learning as a major challenge.
%
60% of secondary teachers report lack of student interest in learning as a major challenge.
%
60% of secondary teachers report lack of student interest in learning as a major challenge.