As you near graduation, we want to make sure a DPS diploma means you are prepared to be successful in any path you choose — whether that’s the workforce after graduation, continued training for specialized industry certifications or going to college. Starting with our Class of 2021 and every graduating class after that, we have new graduation requirements.
It means being able to show that you’ve learned certain skills, abilities and concepts, and that you are able to apply them in the real world. You not only understand an idea or skill, you are also able to build on what you’ve been taught, and even feel comfortable explaining it to others.
With any college work or job in your future, you will be asked to prove what you know, so in DPS we start that skill early.
The 2021 graduation requirements mirror what is expected for our students to be successful in college, career training or the workplace. In Colorado, 53% of students in two-year colleges and 20% of students in four-year colleges have to take remedial courses, which are designed to catch up struggling students by helping them build core skills before they are able to take college-level courses. Not only does this mean a longer timeline toward degree completion, intensifying the potential for dropout, but it also means students incur additional tuition fees and debt.
Our graduation requirements are here to make sure students are ready for college and jobs after high school. We want you to feel prepared and confident for your future!
In order to graduate from DPS, every student will demonstrate competency in English, math and/or career readiness by completing one or more items in the competency menu (scroll down to see the list of options).
There are lots of ways to show what you’ve learned in school, which is why we created a flexible menu of options to demonstrate competency in English, math and career readiness.
We encourage you to dig into the many options and decide which one may be the right fit for you. In general, the college readiness measures like ACT, SAT and Accuplacer are aligned to the standards set by Colorado colleges and universities; however, each college or university may have unique admissions standards, so it’s important for students and families to work with school counselors and other school staff to understand individual requirements.
For any questions related to specific college admissions requirements, please talk to your school counselor and college advisor, as scores on state tests or transfer of credits may differ from the DPS menu below.
Taken on a computer, Accuplacer is a multiple-choice exam that tests students’ math, reading, writing and computer abilities to ensure they are placed in a college class that matches their skill levels. Accuplacer serves as a diagnostics test for students, as it gives them a full picture of academic strengths and weaknesses. Accuplacer qualifying scores achieved in 10th grade and above may be used toward fulfilling graduation requirements.
In spring 2019, DPS schools switched from ACCUplacer Classic to the Next-Generation ACCUplacer, designed by the College Board. While the district will still accept qualifying scores on the ACCUplacer Classic to fulfill the competency menu requirement, all DPS students who take the ACCUplacer exam in schools will now take the Next-Generation ACCUplacer. The test includes redesigned reading, writing and math content that closely matches tasks students will face during first-year college courses. It is also aligned to the SAT Suite of Assessments. The scoring scale on the Next-Generation ACCUplacer exam is different than ACCUplacer Classic, so it is important for students to check which test they took and scores achieved against the required minimum score listed.
The ACT is a national college entrance exam that measures four subjects: English, reading, math and science. DPS does not provide ACT testing for students. Students who take the ACT independently and meet the minimum requirements for graduation may provide verification of their exam results to their high school.
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are college-level classes you can take in high school. At the end of the semester, students are encouraged to take the AP exam, which tests how they perform at the college level.
Concurrent Enrollment allows students to simultaneously earn college and high school credits. Students are able to enroll in college courses for free, saving them both time and money.
Capstone is a way for students to demonstrate graduation competency in English, math and/or career readiness. Redesigned for fall 2019, The Mathematics and Literacy Capstones are accessed through district-provided performance tasks and are aligned with district curriculum. These two capstones fulfill the respective mathematics and literacy competency graduation requirements. Successful completion of the Career Readiness Capstone, designed to equip students with the skills necessary to access an entry level middle skill career, fulfills all graduation competency demonstrations.
IB schools focus on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while supporting students in fully exploring their home culture and language. IB programs help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills that prepare students for success in a rapidly globalizing world.
The SAT is a college entrance exam that is accepted or required at nearly all two-year and four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. The current SAT includes sections on math and evidence-based reading and writing. The highest possible score for each section is 800. The State of Colorado requires that DPS administer the SAT to all 11th graders each year. Qualifying scores on the Colorado SAT may be applied toward fulfilling the DPS graduation requirements.
ACT WorkKeys is an assessment that tests students’ job skills in applied reading, writing, mathematics and 21st century skills. Scores are based on job profiles that help employers select, hire, train, develop and retain a high-performance workforce. Students who score at the bronze level (at least 3) in Applied Mathematics, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents earn ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate.
ASVAB is a comprehensive test that traditionally helps determine students’ eligibility for careers in the military; however, the assessment is an option for students even if they don’t plan to enlist in the military.
To count the ASVAB toward the DPS career ready competency demonstration, students must complete the assessment in a manner that meets eligibility for military enlistment. ASVAB scores may be used toward military enlistment for up to two years after the date of testing, so DPS students may apply ASVAB scores toward graduation eligibility if the scores were achieved in 11th grade or later. In addition, students must complete the ASVAB in English and score a composite AFQT score of 31 or higher. The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) includes four of the 10 ASVAB exams: Word Knowledge (WK), Paragraph Comprehension (PC), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), and Mathematics Knowledge (MK).
