A high‑school administrator presented a set of first‑read policy changes that would create three diploma tracks — a Wildcat Academy minimum, a blue career‑readiness diploma, and a platinum college‑ready diploma — and would raise some graduation credit requirements.

The presenter told the board the career‑readiness diploma would raise the district minimum from 25.5 to 26 credits by adding a required public‑speaking half‑credit, and that students could satisfy that requirement either by taking a public‑speaking class or a client‑connected projects class. The presenter said the platinum diploma would raise math requirements and add foreign‑language expectations and a target of nine college credit hours earned via dual‑credit coursework.

Why it matters: the changes are aimed at aligning graduation requirements with the district’s stated mission of career and college readiness, increasing students’ exposure to presentation skills and expanding affordable dual‑credit options to give students a “safe landing” before college.

Details and context

The presenter said the district wants students to leave “college ready” if they earn the highest tier diploma and described efforts to expand dual‑credit offerings with partner institutions (UMKC was cited as an accessible partner). The board heard administrators’ reasoning that dual credit provides more certain college credit than AP testing, which depends on a single national exam.

On recognition and ranking

The presenter also proposed changing graduation recognition practices: instead of awarding a single honor graduate (valedictorian), the district would use a Latin‑honor style system to recognize more students and would stop using class rank in public recognition; internal tracking of rank would remain available. The presenter said the change is intended to discourage strategic course selection solely to boost rank and to encourage students to take rigorous, career‑ or college‑aligned courses.

Next steps

The items presented were first reads; the administration expects to return with final recommendations for board action at a future meeting (the presenter suggested March as the target for some approvals). The administration also said it will review scholarship recognition processes to align with the new diploma and recognition framework.

Quotes

“We raise our minimum graduation requirements from 25.5 to 26. The extra half credit is a public speaking credit.” — High school administrator.