State leaders in Arizona have taken initial steps towards transforming high school learning experiences by ensuring that students can earn credit towards graduation for successful completion of high-quality work-based learning experiences.

The Arizona Personalized Learning Network, established by the Center for the Future of Arizona, brings teachers and leaders together to support the adoption of new personalized, competency-based learning models. The network includes the state’s largest school district, Mesa Public Schools. The district has adopted a Portrait of a Graduate as part of its vision to serve each student’s strengths and needs so they graduate ready for “college, career and community.”

To support the efforts of school systems like Mesa, state leaders could create more flexibility from seat time requirements and work with communities to develop a statewide Portrait of a Graduate that reflects the broad set of competencies all graduates should have by the end of high school. State leaders could also explore opportunities for a statewide initiative with dedicated resources to incentivize community-led high school redesign.