Policy makers in Kansas have established a solid foundation for high school transformation by establishing flexibility from seat time requirements and supporting college and career readiness for every student across the state. State policy empowers students to earn credit towards graduation based on demonstrations of learning, regardless of seat time.
The state has also taken a number of steps to ensure that high school students engage in learning experiences that prepare them for success when they graduate. New graduation requirements that were introduced in 2024 require each student to complete at least two “postsecondary assets”—experiences that include, among other things, advanced coursework and work-based learning opportunities. To support these efforts, the state has also developed guides to help school systems provide high-quality work-based learning experiences that align with their individual plans of study connected to their professional aspirations.
To build on these efforts, state leaders could explore opportunities to align the state’s high school diploma with college entrance requirements so that any Kansan who earns a diploma is eligible to apply to any public institute of higher education in the state. In addition, state leaders can leverage the state’s seat time flexibility to launch a statewide initiative with dedicated resources to incentivize community-led high school redesign.
