Pass State Tests or Approved Alternatives to those Tests

Our state graduation requirements are designed to ensure students have a solid foundation of reading, writing, math and science skills, no matter the path they choose after high school.

To be eligible to graduate in Washington, high school students must: pass specific state exams, earn all required state and local credits, and successfully complete a high school and beyond plan and a culminating project. The state testing requirements are as follows:

• Classes of 2011 and 2012: Students must pass a state exam in reading and writing, a state-approved alternative or an assessment for students in special education. Students can meet the state’s math requirement by passing a high school math exam OR by earning two math credits after 10th grade.
• Classes of 2013 and 2014: Students must pass a state exam in reading and writing and one end-of-course exam in math, state-approved alternatives or assessments for students in special education.
• Classes of 2015 and beyond: Students must pass a state exam in reading and writing, one science end-of-course exam and two math end-of-course exams, state-approved alternatives or assessments for students in special education.

Beginning with the class of 2013, students must earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement or Certificate of Individual Achievement, the latter being for students in special education. To learn more about the CAA/CIA.

In addition to passing state exams, students can meet their assessment graduation requirements by passing state-approved alternatives, or Certificate of Academic Achievement Options. To learn more about CAA Options.

Students who transfer into a public school from out of state or an in-state non-public setting (home school or private school) in 11th or 12th grade can immediately access the CAA options. To learn more about student transfer options.