PA overhauled its graduation requirements. Are high schoolers better off?

Join Chalkbeat Philadelphia at our virtual event on May 12, 4-5 p.m. ET, where we’ll dig into Pennsylvania’s new graduation pathways.

In the four years since Pennsylvania overhauled its high school graduation requirements, Philadelphia’s high schoolers have increasingly graduated without passing state exams. Instead, students last year were most likely to graduate by fulfilling alternate requirements.

Chalkbeat journalists found that some educators appreciate that students who may be poor test takers have a path to graduation, unlike in other states, where passing state tests is required. But our reporting also found evidence that the rise of this alternative pathway has led to a troubling new trend: students are getting low-value credentials to check a box, boosting graduation rates.

Critically, it’s unclear whether students are any better off post-grad. Lawmakers and state officials have published little follow-up that examines whether the shift has left young Pennsylvanians more or less prepared for their futures.

On May 12, we’ll dig into the data and implications with national and local experts. RSVP to save your virtual seat and submit your questions for the panel.

Recommended Chalkbeat reading: How dubious high school credentials like ladder safety are boosting Pennsylvania’s graduation rate