State Board of Education Approves CORE 24

The Washington State Board of Education approved CORE 24 at their July 23-24 meeting in Vancouver, WA.  CORE 24 will increase the minimum number of credits needed to graduate from 19 to 24 and allow students to choose between three graduation pathways based on their plans after high school.  The aim is to strengthen high school graduation requirements and ensure students are prepared for college, job training and the workforce.

CORE 24 will be phased-in over six years.  However, implementation requires the State Legislature to approve the funding schools need to hire more teachers and extend the school day to six periods.

Did You Know Campaign

LEV Foundation's Did You Know Campaign let the State Board of Education members know that students, parents, educators and business leaders want Washington's high school diploma to mean our children are prepared for college and careers.

• Over 500 supporters signed our postcards and online petition;
• Over 50 activists boarded the Did You Know Campaign bus to the State Board meeting in Vancouver on July 23rd; and
• Dozens of students gave great testimony about how CORE 24 will help prepare ALL our kids for success.

About CORE 24

• State Board of Education: Meaningful High School Diploma Initiative
• Fact Sheet: Opening Doors with CORE 24
• Summary of CORE 24
• CORE 24 FAQs

News Articles

• Washington board weighs stiffer graduation standards (Spokesman Review, 7-17-08)
• Op-Ed: Our kids need tougher graduation requirements (Bellevue Reporter, 7-21-08)
• Evergreen district to host state board of education meetings (Vancouver Columbian, 7-22-08)
• Students prod state board for more classes (Vancouver Columbian, 7-24-08)
• Board of Education votes on high school diploma dream (Associated Press, 7-24-08)
• Stricter criteria for the state's graduates? (Seattle PI, 7-24-08)
• Diploma to require more credits (Vancouver Columbian, 7-25-08)
• State: More algebra a must (Seattle Times, 7-25-08)

Community Support

• Testimony of Tiffany Jones, KnowHow2Go
• Meaningful High School Diploma Petition
• Seattle Public Schools 
• Tabor 100
• Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce