The state of Kansas has changed graduation requirements for class of 2028 and beyond to encourage financial literacy and postsecondary assets.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announced that starting with this year’s freshmen, the needed credits for requirements have changed. Currently, the state requires 21 credits for graduation, while the Olathe public school district requires 24 credits in total for all classes taken over the 4 years. While the credit needed has neither been lowered or increased, the classes needed for those credits have.
Due to how recently these changes have occurred, information given to the schools is scarce about how this will affect the future of students coming into their high school years.
According to KSDE these changes will enforce more work-based learning and prepare students for the years ahead.
“Post Secondary assets will give our kids more world experience and skills,” principal Kerry Lane said. “We want our kids to not just have a diploma, we want our kids to have a diploma plus.”
Every change to the freshman requirements has
been added to the Olathe District website under 2024-25 changes. Alongside the credit change, will be the transition of the cumlaude system in place of class rank.
“I think it’s a lot more stress,” freshman Melia Merrit said. “We have a lot more requirements for graduation.”
Additionally, students who enroll in Spanish I or French I while in 8th grade will earn high school credit and the grade will be listed on their transcript.
“I don’t think incoming freshmen will remember the skills they learned from eighth grade,” junior Mackenna Swanson said. “The freshmen in my Spanish ll class are not doing well, and are behind.”
As the more pressure from the varied credits is added to the students, some of it may be a positive.
Merrit said she enjoys only one needed semester of PE compared to a full year.
As well as the inclusion of a higher class variation, this change could be viewed as either a benefit or a negative. They are preparing students for the future, but in cost of a few changes.
