WSR 23-20-003
PROPOSED RULES
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
[Filed September 20, 2023, 4:24 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 23-11-052.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: High school graduation requirements.
Hearing Location(s): On November 14, 2023, at 3:30 p.m., at the Salish Conference Room, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Building, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504.
Date of Intended Adoption: December 7, 2023.
Submit Written Comments to: Linda Drake, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, email rulescoordinatorSBE@k12.wa.us, by November 1, 2023.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jacki Verd, phone 360-725-6025, TTY 360-664-3631, email Jacki.Verd@k12.wa.us, by October 25, 2023.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of the proposal is to implement recent legislation regarding the High School and Beyond Plan (SB [E2SSB] 5243, chapter 271, Laws of 2023) and graduation pathway options (HB 1308, chapter 349, Laws of 2023). The rules implement an additional graduation pathway option, a performance-based pathway. The rules also add additional advanced courses to the list of courses that meet the graduation pathway requirement. In addition, the rules incorporate other requirements of the legislation: Clarifying the purpose of graduation pathways, establishing some additional data and monitoring requirements on the use of graduation pathway options by students, clarifying and adding additional requirements to the high school and beyond plan such as specifying that the plan must be updated annually, that school districts must annually provide students in eighth through 12th grade with comprehensive information about graduation pathway options offered by the district, and directing school districts to provide students with access to the adopted universal high school and beyond plan platform within two years of completion of the platform.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Additional options that districts may offer for students to be able to meet the graduation pathway requirement helps to increase personalized education for each student, addressing the statutory purpose of the state board of education (RCW 28A.305.130). In particular, the performance-base graduation pathway option is intended to respect students' diverse cultures, abilities, and learning styles, as well as allow students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential to the goals of RCW 28A.150.210. Rules implementing statute that enhance the high school and beyond plan address goal four of basic education (RCW 28A.150.210(4)), "the importance of work, and finance and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.["]
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.305.130.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28A.655.250, 28A.655.260, 28A.230.212, 28A.230.215.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: State board of education, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Randy Spaulding, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, 260-725-6024.
A school district fiscal impact statement has been prepared RCW 28A.305.135.
SCHOOL DISTRICT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
WSR: 23-11-052.
Title of Rule: High school graduation requirements (SB [E2SSB] 5243 and HB 1308).
Agency: SDF - School district fiscal impact - SPI.
Part I: Estimates: No fiscal impact.
Estimated Cash Receipts To: No estimated cash receipts.
Estimated Expenditures From: No estimated expenditures.
Estimated Capital Impact: No estimated capital impact.
Part II: Narrative Explanation:
II. A - Brief Description Of What the Measure Does That Has Fiscal Impact: None.
II. B - Cash Receipts Impact: None.
II. C - Expenditures: None.
Part III: Expenditure Detail:
III. A - Expenditures by Object or Purpose: None.
Part IV: Capital Budget Impact: None.
A copy of the statement may be obtained by contacting Linda Drake, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-725-6025, TTY 360-664-3631, email rulescoordinatorSBE@k12.wa.us.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. These rules are not subject to violation by a nongovernment party, and the rules adopt Washington state statutes without material change.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(4).
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
September 20, 2023
Randy Spaulding
Executive Director
OTS-4947.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-01-101, filed 12/13/19, effective 1/13/20)
WAC 180-51-201Overview of the requirements for a high school diploma beginning in 2020.
For students who enter the ninth grade or begin the equivalent of a four-year high school program as of July 1, 2016, (the class of 2020) or later, the graduation requirements shall consist of:
(1) State credit and subject area requirements as established in WAC 180-51-067, 180-51-068, or 180-51-210 in this chapter, depending on the credit graduation requirements aligned with the year the student entered ninth grade; and, credit and subject area requirements established by local school boards. Students in the class of 2019 and the class of 2020 in districts with a waiver to delay implementation of WAC 180-51-068 shall graduate with the credit and subject area requirements of WAC 180-51-067 until the expiration of the waiver.
(2) A high school and beyond plan that must include the minimum requirements established in RCW 28A.230.090 and WAC 180-51-220 in this chapter. Local school boards may establish additional requirements for a high school and beyond plan to serve the needs and interests of its students. Any decision on whether a student has met the requirement of a high school and beyond plan shall be made by the district.
(3) A graduation pathway option. Students must meet the requirements of at least one of ((eight))nine graduation pathway options in chapter 28A.655 RCW and WAC 180-51-230.
(((4) By December 2022 the state board of education will make recommendations to the legislature for policy changes that would require new legislation to address including: Barriers school districts have to offering all of the graduation pathways, equitable student access to all of the graduation pathways, modifications or additions to the pathways, or other challenges to implementing graduation pathways. Based on the analysis of the pathways and/or other feedback received during implementation of graduation pathways the state board of education may initiate rule making to address changes allowed within current statute.))
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-01-101, filed 12/13/19, effective 1/13/20)
WAC 180-51-220High school and beyond plan.
(1) Each student must have a high school and beyond plan((, initiated during seventh or eighth grade with the administration of a))informed by a career interest and skills inventory((, to guide the student's high school experience and inform course-taking that is aligned with the student's goals for education or training and career after high school. School districts are encouraged to develop and utilize high-quality high school and beyond plan tools.))administered by seventh grade to inform eighth grade course-taking. By the end of the eighth grade, each student will have begun a high school and beyond plan that includes a plan for course-taking in the first year of high school that aligns with graduation requirements and the student's high school and posthigh school goals.
(2) Beginning in the 2020-21 school year, each school district must have an electronic high school and beyond plan platform available to all students((; districts may utilize one of the electronic platforms on the list that the office of the superintendent of public instruction creates and posts on its website. Districts are encouraged to utilize electronic high school and beyond platforms that meet the criteria specified in chapter 28A.230 RCW.
(2)))who are required to have a high school and beyond plan. Within two years of completion of a universal online high school and beyond plan platform in alignment with the requirements in RCW 28A.230.215, school districts must provide students with access to the adopted universal platform.
(3) Required elements of ((the))all high school and beyond plans must at minimum include:
(a) Identification of career goals and interests aided by a skills and interest assessment.
(b) Identification of secondary and postsecondary education and training goals.
(c) A four-year plan for courses taken in high school that satisfies state and local graduation requirements and aligns with students' secondary and postsecondary goals that may include education, training, and career((s))preparation.
(d) Identification of options for satisfying state and local graduation requirements, including ((academic acceleration pursuant to RCW 28A.320.195, that could include dual credit courses, career and technical education, and other programs that align with the student's educational and career goals. This includes identification of the graduation pathway option(s) the student intends to complete to meet their educational and career goals)):
(i) Available advanced course sequences per the school district's academic acceleration policy, as described in RCW 28A.320.195.
(ii) Dual credit courses.
(iii) Career and technical education courses and programs, including career and technical education equivalency courses that can satisfy core subject area graduation requirements under RCW 28A.230.097.
(iv) Work-based learning opportunities that can lead to technical college certifications and apprenticeships.
(v) Mastery-based credit opportunities, including options for earning the Seal of Biliteracy.
(vi) If applicable, opportunities for credit recovery and acceleration, including partial and mastery-based credit accrual to eliminate barriers for on-time grade level progression and graduation per RCW 28A.320.192.
(e) A current resume or activity log that provides a written compilation of the student's education, any work experience, and any community service, and how the district recognizes community service pursuant to RCW 28A.320.193.
(f) Evidence that the student has received information on federal and state financial aid programs that help pay for the costs of postsecondary programs, including evidence that the student has received information about the following:
(i) The college bound scholarship program established in chapter 28B.118 RCW, the Washington college grant created in RCW 28B.92.200, and other scholarship opportunities.
(ii) Documentation necessary for completing financial aid applications, including at a minimum the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington application for state financial aid (WASFA).
(((ii)))(iii) Application ((timeliness)) and submission deadlines.
(((iii)))(iv) The importance of submitting applications early.
(((iv)))(v) Information specific to students who are or have been ((in foster care))the subject of a dependency proceeding pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW.
(((v)))(vi) Information specific to students who are, or are at risk of, ((being homeless))experiencing homelessness.
(((vi)))(vii) Information specific to students whose family member or guardians will be required to provide financial and tax information necessary to complete the application.
(((vii)))(viii) Opportunities to participate in sessions that assist students and, when necessary, their family members or guardians, in filling out financial aid applications.
(((viii)))(ix) A sample financial aid letter and a link to the financial aid calculator created in RCW 28B.77.280.
(x) Information provided on the Washington student achievement council website concerning each of the state and federal financial aid applications in this subsection, in accordance with RCW 28A.300.815.
(((ix) Information on college bound scholarship application and eligibility.))
(g) As established by RCW 28A.230.097, if a student completes a career and technical education equivalency course that is transcribed as a core subject area course to meet graduation requirements, then a record showing that the career and technical education course was used to meet a core course must be retained in the student's high school and beyond plan. This record may be useful if the student pursues education, training, or a career in the same or related field as the career and technical education course.
(((3)))(4) High school and beyond plan process and development.
(a) ((Each student's high school and beyond plan must be initiated by seventh or eighth grade. Before or at the initiation of the plan))By seventh grade, each student must be administered a career interest and skills inventory that will help inform the student's ((ninth))eighth grade course taking and initial identification of their education and career goals.
(b) ((School districts are encouraged to involve parents and guardians in the process of developing and updating the high school and beyond plan. The plan must be provided to the student's parents or guardians in their native language if that language is one of the two most frequently spoken non-English languages of students in the district. Districts are also encouraged to provide plans to parents and guardians in additional languages as needed, to the extent feasible.))By eighth grade, each student must have begun development of a high school and beyond plan that includes a proposed plan for first-year high school courses aligned with graduation requirements and secondary and postsecondary goals.
(c) Seventh and eighth grade students must be informed of the college bound scholarship program established in chapter 28B.118 RCW. Students ((in foster care, students who are dependents of the state))who are or have been the subject of a dependency proceeding pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW, students who are or who are at risk of experiencing homelessness, and ninth grade students who may be eligible must also be provided with information on the program. Students in the college bound scholarship program should be reminded about program requirements to remain eligible and provided with information about filling out a financial aid application in their senior year.
(d) ((Students who have not earned a score of level 3 or level 4 on the middle school math state assessment must include in their plan taking math courses in ninth and tenth grade. The math courses may include career and technical education equivalencies in math, established in RCW 28A.230.097.
(e)))With staff support, students must update their high school and beyond plan annually, at a minimum, to review academic progress and inform future course-taking, including the potential impact of course selections on postsecondary opportunities. The review may include in-school or out-of-school opportunities that would help prepare students for their career or educational goals, such as summer learning opportunities, internships, student leadership organizations and clubs, and community service.
(e) The high school and beyond plan must be updated in the tenth grade to reflect high school assessment results in RCW 28A.655.061, ensure student access to advanced course options per the district's academic acceleration policy in RCW 28A.320.195, assess progress toward identified goals, and revised as necessary for changing interests, goals, and needs.
(f) School districts shall involve parents and legal guardians to the greatest extent feasible in the process of developing and updating the high school and beyond plan. The plan must be provided to the student and the student's parents or legal guardians in a language the student and parents or legal guardians understand and in accordance with the school district's language access policy and procedures as required under chapter 28A.183 RCW, which may require language assistance for students and parents or legal guardians with limited-English proficiency.
(g) School districts must annually provide students in grades eight through 12 and their parents or legal guardians with comprehensive information about the graduation pathway options offered by the district and are strongly encouraged to begin providing this information in sixth grade. School districts must provide this information in a manner that conforms with the school district's language access policy and procedures as required under chapter 28A.183 RCW.
(h) School districts are strongly encouraged to partner with student-serving, community-based organizations that support career and college exploration and preparation for postsecondary and career pathways. Partnerships may include high school and beyond plan coordination and planning, data sharing agreements, and safe and secure access to individual students' high school and beyond plans.
(i) Students who have not earned a score of level 3 or level 4 on the middle school math state assessment must include in their plan taking a math course in each of ninth and tenth grade. The math courses may include career and technical education equivalencies in math, established in RCW 28A.230.097.
(j) For students who have not earned a level 3 or level 4 on their middle school English language arts exam or their middle school science exam, districts are encouraged to inform students of supports and courses that will address ((the)) students' learning needs and be considered in ((the)) students' course-taking plans.
(((f)))(k) The high school and beyond plan must be updated ((periodically))annually at a minimum to address:
(i) High school assessment results and junior year course-taking.
(ii) A student's changing interests, goals, and needs, including identification of the graduation pathway option(s) the student intends to complete to meet their educational and career goals.
(iii) Available interventions, academic supports, and courses that will enable students to meet high school graduation credit requirements and graduation pathway requirements.
(((g)))(l) For students meeting graduation requirements in WAC 180-51-068 and 180-51-210, the students' high school and beyond plans should be used to guide the choices of the third credit of high school math and the third credit of high school science. These credits may be earned through career and technical education courses determined to be equivalent to math and science courses as established in RCW 28A.230.097.
(((h)))(m) A student's high school and beyond plan must inform the student's choice of their graduation pathway option or options in accordance with WAC 180-51-230.
(((4)))(5) For a student with an individualized education program (IEP), the student's IEP and high school and beyond plan((s)) must align. Students with an IEP transition plan, which begins during the school year in which they turn ((sixteen))16, may use their transition plan in support of, but not as a replacement for, their high school and beyond plan. The process for developing and updating the student's high school and beyond plans must be similar to and conducted with similar school personnel as for all other students. The student's high school and beyond plans must be updated in alignment with the student's school to postschool transition plan.
(((5)))(6) Any decision on whether a student has met the state board of education's high school graduation requirements for a high school and beyond plan shall remain at the local level. A district may establish additional, local requirements for a high school and beyond plan to serve the needs and interests of its students and the purposes of RCW 28A.230.090.
(((6)))(7) Districts may offer core and elective courses that embed required elements and processes of high school and beyond planning((,)) and are encouraged to provide annual credit-bearing options for the delivery and completion of high school and beyond plan elements. Conversely, a high school and beyond planning course or courses may be counted as core or elective credit, as defined in WAC 180-51-210, if the learning standards of the content area are addressed.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-01-101, filed 12/13/19, effective 1/13/20)
WAC 180-51-230Graduation pathway options.
(1) Beginning with the graduating class of 2020, each student must meet the requirements of at least one of the ((eight))nine graduation pathway options in this section. Each of the graduation pathway options are equally valid for earning a Washington state high school diploma.
(2) School districts are encouraged to make the ((eight))nine graduation pathways specified below available to their students and to expand their pathway options until this goal is met((,)) yet have discretion in determining which graduation pathway options they will offer.
(((3)))(a) Student access to all pathways offered by a district must not be restricted based on a student's disability. Students receiving special education services must be provided with the services and accommodations outlined in the student's individualized education program to support them in meeting the pathway requirement.
(b) Starting in the sixth grade, school districts are strongly encouraged to annually provide students and their parents or guardians with comprehensive information about graduation pathway options offered by the school district.
(c) Beginning in the eighth grade, school districts must annually provide information about graduation pathway options to students and their parents or guardians as part of the students' high school and beyond plan. The information must be provided in a manner that conforms with the school district's language access policy and procedures as required under RCW 28A.183.040.
(3) The state board of education shall review and monitor the implementation of the graduation pathway options to ensure school district compliance with requirements established under RCW 28A.655.250 and subsection (4) of this section. The reviews and monitoring required by this subsection may be conducted concurrently with other oversight and monitoring conducted by the state board of education. The information shall be collected annually and reported to the education committees of the legislature by January 10, 2025, and biennially thereafter.
(4) At least annually, school districts shall examine data on student groups participating in and completing each graduation pathway option offered by the school district.
(a) At minimum, the data on graduation pathway participation and completion must be disaggregated by the student groups described in RCW 28A.300.042 (1) and (3), and by:
(i) Gender;
(ii) Students who are the subject of a dependency proceeding pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW;
(iii) Students who are experiencing homelessness as defined in RCW 28A.300.542(4);
(iv) Multilingual/English language learners.
(b) If the results of the analysis required under (a) of this subsection show disproportionate participation and completion rates by student groups, then the school district shall identify reasons for the observed disproportionality and implement strategies as appropriate to ensure the graduation pathway options are equitably available to all students in the school district.
(5) The graduation pathway option(s) used by a student must be in alignment with the student's high school and beyond plan.
(((4)))(6) All assessment scores used for graduation pathways in subsection (((5)))(7)(a) through (((f)))(g) of this section will be posted on the state board of education website. Assessment scores that the state board of education is responsible for setting, will only be changed through a public process culminating in official board action in a public board meeting.
(((5)))(7)The following are the ((eight))nine graduation pathway options:
(a) Statewide high school assessments. Meet or exceed the graduation standard established by the state board of education under RCW 28A.305.130 on the statewide high school assessments in English language arts and mathematics as provided for under RCW 28A.655.070.
(b) Dual credit courses. Earn at least one high school credit in English language arts and at least one high school credit in mathematics in dual credit courses. For the purposes of this subsection, "dual credit course" means a course in which a student is eligible for both high school credit and college credit at the level of 100 or higher, upon successfully completing the course, by meeting the dual credit course or program criteria established by the local district and the applicable higher education entity. Dual credit courses include running start, college in the high school courses, and career and technical education dual credit courses. Nothing in this subsection requires a student to pay fees or claim college credit to meet this pathway.
(c) Transition courses. Earn high school credit in a high school transition course in English language arts and mathematics, an example of which includes a bridge to college course. For the purposes of this subsection, "high school transition course" means an English language arts or mathematics course offered in high school that, based on the final grade, allows the student to place directly into a credit-bearing college level course at participating institutions of higher education in RCW 28B.10.016, in accordance with established policy and criteria of the local school district and the applicable higher education entity. This definition includes transition courses identified through local agreements between colleges and school districts. English language arts and math high school transition courses must satisfy a student's core or elective credit graduation requirements established by the state board of education in WAC 180-51-210.
(d) Advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or Cambridge international. Meet either (d)(i) or (ii) of this subsection:
(i) Earn high school credit, with a grade of C+ or higher in each term, in the following advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or Cambridge international courses in English language arts and mathematics.
(A) For English language arts, successfully complete one high school credit in any of the following courses with a grade of C+ or higher in each term: Advanced placement courses in English language and composition, ((advanced placement)) English literature and composition, macroeconomics, microeconomics, psychology, United States history, world history, United States government and politics, ((or)) comparative government and politics, European history, human geography, African American studies, seminar, or research; any of the international baccalaureate individuals and societies courses or English language and literature courses; or earn an E in any of the following Cambridge advanced or Cambridge advanced subsidiary courses: English language, literature and English, English general paper, psychology, history, sociology, global perspectives and research, ((or)) law, classical studies, drama, economics, thinking skills, or geography.
(B) For mathematics, successfully complete one high school credit in any of the following courses with a grade of C+ or higher: Advanced placement courses in statistics, computer science A, computer science principles, precalculus or calculus; any of the international baccalaureate mathematics or computer science courses; or a Cambridge advanced or advanced subsidiary mathematics ((or)), further mathematics, or computer science course.
(ii) Score a three or higher on advanced placement exams in one of the English language arts and one of the mathematics courses identified above; score a four or higher on international baccalaureate exams in one of the English language arts and one of the mathematics courses identified above; or score an E or higher on Cambridge international exams in one of the English language arts and one of the mathematics courses identified above.
(e) SAT or ACT. Meet or exceed the scores established by the state board of education for the mathematics portion and the reading, English, ((or))and writing portion of the SAT or ACT.
(f) Performance-based learning experience. Complete a performance-based learning experience that results in a product created by the student that provides evidence of meeting or exceeding state learning standards in English language arts and mathematics. The learning experience may take a variety of forms such as a project, practicum, work-related experience, community service, or cultural activity and should permit the student to demonstrate knowledge and skills in a real-world context. "Real-world context" means learning experiences that provide students the opportunity to carry out activities and solve problems in a way that reflects the complex nature of such tasks in the world outside of the classroom. The product may take a variety of forms such as a performance, presentation, portfolio, report, film, or exhibit that allows the student to demonstrate meeting or exceeding English language arts and/or math learning standards.
(i) Prior to offering a performance-based pathway option, the school district board of directors shall adopt a written policy. The policy must address:
(A) Approval of student proposals.
(B) Approval of school or district-developed performance-based pathway options, if the district chooses to provide such options. For a student to use a school or district-developed performance-based pathway option, the student will sign a learning contract with the school or district.
(C) Evaluation of student products. The evaluation of each student's product must be conducted by a certificated teacher with an endorsement in the relevant subject area, or with other applicable qualifications as permitted by the professional educator standards board, or by an evaluation panel that must include at least one teacher with an endorsement in the relevant subject area, or with other applicable qualifications as permitted by the professional educator standards board. The evaluation panel may include external parties such as community leaders or professionals. Districts are encouraged to use a panel of evaluators.
(D) Measures to ensure the safety of the student learning experience, including if appropriate, work-based learning rules, industry safety standards, youth employment regulations, and local risk management practices.
(ii) To complete a performance-based graduation pathway option, a student shall:
(A) Submit a proposal or sign a learning contract. The proposal or learning contract must describe the student learning experience, the product based on the student learning experience that will allow the student to demonstrate meeting or exceeding English language arts and/or math standards. The proposal or learning contract must identify the learning standards in English language arts and/or math that will be addressed, in accordance with performance-based pathway graduation proficiency targets posted on the state board of education web page and may include additional learning standards appropriate for the individual student's performance-based pathway.
(B) Engage in a student learning experience that takes place no earlier than the student's ninth grade year. The student learning experience may take place outside of the school day and outside of the school facility, or it may be incorporated into a school day and into a high school course or courses provided the learning experience reflects a real-world context.
(C) Submit a product created by the student based on the student learning experience that permits the student to demonstrate meeting or exceeding the English language arts and/or math learning standards identified in the student's proposal or learning contract. The product must include a student reflection that minimally identifies the connection between the student's learning and the student's preparation for their posthigh school goals and includes a student self-evaluation of the skills and learning gained.
(iii) The decision as to whether a student meets the graduation pathway requirement through a performance-based pathway option will be locally determined based on an evaluation of the student's product as a demonstration of meeting English language arts and/or math standards identified in the proposal/learning contract. Districts may collaborate on the evaluation process.
(A) Evaluation of the student's project must be conducted by a certificated teacher endorsed in the relevant subject area, or with other applicable qualifications permitted by the professional educators standards board, or an evaluation panel that must involve at least one certificated teacher endorsed in the relevant subject area, or with other applicable qualifications permitted by the professional educators standards board. The evaluation panel may include external parties such as community leaders or professionals. Districts are encouraged to use a panel of evaluators.
(B) The evaluation to determine whether the student has met the identified state learning standards must be based on rubrics and proficiency targets developed by the state board of education in collaboration with the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The rubrics and proficiency targets will be posted on the state board of education website. As state learning standards are updated under RCW 28A.655.070, the rubrics and proficiency targets will be updated, if needed, within one year.
(g)Combination. Meet any combination of at least one English language arts option and at least one mathematics option established in pathway options (a) through (((e)))(f) of this subsection.
(((g)))(h)Armed services vocational aptitude battery.
(i) Meet standard on the armed forces qualification test portion of the armed services vocational aptitude battery by scoring at least the minimum established by the military for eligibility to serve in a branch of the armed services at the time that the student takes the assessment. The state board of education will post eligibility scores at least annually by September 1st. Each student may choose to meet either the posted minimum score the year a student takes the armed services vocational aptitude battery or the score posted by the state board of education on a later date prior to the student turning ((twenty-one))21 years of age.
(ii) The school must inform the students taking the armed services vocational aptitude battery about the minimum eligibility score required by each branch of the military as well as information about eligibility requirements for specific military occupations. Schools are encouraged to schedule an armed services vocational aptitude battery career exploration program interpretation seminar after the test so students can participate in high school and beyond planning and learn about available military and nonmilitary occupations for which they have an aptitude. The state board of education will maintain a web page with information about military occupation requirements and minimum eligibility scores required by each branch of the military.
(iii) Schools that offer the armed services vocational aptitude battery must inform students regarding the ways in which their scores and personal information might be shared, per the agreement between the school and the United States Department of Defense which administers the armed services vocational aptitude battery. Each student must be given prior written notice of the option to decide whether the school can release the student's armed services vocational aptitude battery scores to military recruiters for contact purposes. A school administrator, teacher, or counselor must also explain and offer this option to the students on the day of the test.
(iv) This pathway does not require students to meet the physical or other requirements for military enlistment, require enlistment, or require students to release their scores to the military for purposes of recruitment.
(v) Satisfying this pathway does not require students to meet the separate English and mathematics graduation pathway requirements of pathway options (a) through (((f)))(g) of this subsection.
(((h)))(i)Career and technical education course sequence. Complete the curriculum requirements of a core plus program relevant to the student's postsecondary goals outlined in the student's high school and beyond plan as defined in WAC 180-51-220 in aerospace, maritime, health care, information technology, or construction and manufacturing; or complete a sequence of at least two high school credits in career and technical education courses that meet the following criteria:
(i) The sequence is comprised of courses that are technically intensive and rigorous in a progression relevant to the student's postsecondary goals outlined in the student's high school and beyond plan as defined in WAC 180-51-220. Courses to satisfy this pathway must be comprised of either:
(A) Courses within the same career and technical program area; or
(B) A local sequence of courses within more than one career and technical program area if approved by a district's local school board, local board's designee, or the district's local vocational (career and technical education) advisory committee established under RCW 28A.150.500 and submitted to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for an expedited approval. A sequence submitted to the office of superintendent of public instruction for expedited approval will be deemed approved if a decision is not provided to the district within ((forty-five))45 calendar days of submittal. If a sequence is denied approval, the office of superintendent of public instruction must provide the district with a written notification including the reason for denial. Once a local sequence has been approved by the office of superintendent of public instruction, it may be implemented in other districts with notification of implementation to the office of superintendent of public instruction.
(ii) Each sequence of career and technical education courses must be comprised of courses that meet the minimum criteria identified in RCW 28A.700.030. Specifically, the courses must:
(A) ((Either))Satisfy either of the following conditions:
(I) Lead to a certificate or credential that is state or nationally recognized by trades, industries, or other professional associations as necessary for employment or advancement in that field; or
(II) Allow students to earn dual credit for high school and college through tech prep (career technical education dual credit), advanced placement, or other agreements or programs.
(B) Be comprised of a sequenced progression of multiple courses that are technically intensive and rigorous; and
(C) Lead to workforce entry, state or nationally approved apprenticeships, or postsecondary education in a related field.
(iii) Satisfying the career technical education pathway does not require a student to take a course that is part of a career and technical education preparatory program that is approved under RCW 28A.700.030 nor does satisfying this pathway require students to meet the separate English and mathematics graduation pathway requirements of pathway options (a) through (((f)))(g) of this subsection.
(iv) A course that is used to meet graduation pathway requirements may also be used to meet credit subject area requirements, including career and technical education course equivalencies per RCW 28A.700.070.