10 State

Policy Actions

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10 State

Policy Actions

10 State

Policy Actions

The Future is High School

Headline

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.

10 State Policies

The 10 state policy actions below build upon XQ’s work with communities to implement high school redesign; decades of research in the science of learning; and insights from educators, school administrators, and district and state partners. They’re organized around three foundations of educational excellence: clear goals, powerful learning experiences, and measures that truly matter.

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.
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Only 45% of students say they feel prepared for the future.

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%

Only 45% of students say they feel prepared for the future.

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%

Only 45% of students say they feel prepared for the future.

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%

60% of secondary teachers report lack of student interest in learning as a major challenge.

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%

60% of secondary teachers report lack of student interest in learning as a major challenge.

0

%

60% of secondary teachers report lack of student interest in learning as a major challenge.

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December 5, 2025

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