MADISON – The Alabama State Department of Education or ALSDE has added a requirement for graduating seniors, which will apply to students who are currently sophomores in high school.

The new requirement for Alabama students concerns College and Career Ready or CCR compliance. ALSDE has ruled that CCR is now a graduation requirement.

“The state passed HB109 (House Bill 109), which says that starting with the graduating Class of 2026, students must earn CCR status in order to graduate,” Dr. Ed Nichols said. Nichols is Superintendent of Madison City Schools.

“Starting with current tenth-graders, if students are not College and Career Ready, then they will not graduate,” Nichols said. For more information, visit madisoncity.k12.al.us/domain/2770 (or visit madisoncity.k12.al.us, click “Academics” and click “College and Career Readiness.”

To be College and Career Ready, a student must earn a “credential” in at least one of eight “indicators,” per ALSDE. The following paragraphs define each credential and its associated indicator:

* Benchmark score on any ACT section – Students must have “ACT College Readiness Benchmark Score” on at least one of these subtests: English (18), Reading (22), Math (22), Science (23).

* Qualifying score on Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam — AP score must be 3 or higher. IB score of 4 or higher.

* College or post-secondary credit – Minimum of 1.0 college / post-secondary credit on student’s transcript while in high school. Minimum final grade of “D” required for student’s college transcript.

* At least a Silver Certificate (a score of 4 on each of the three subtests) – Subtests are Applied Math; Graphic Literacy; Workplace and Documents.

* Enlist in branch of military before high-school graduation – Requirement is official letter from recruiter stating the student has enlisted in the military.

* Earn Industry Recognized Credential through a CTE Academy – MCS offers 15-plus industry credentials through CTE Academies.

* Earn 3.0 or more credits in one CTE Academy. Must earn a “C” or higher in each course — Maximum 1.0 Foundational Course Credit. Minimum 1.0 Concentrator Course Credit. Maximum 1.0 CTE Lab, Work-Based Learning or Pathway Project Course Credit.

* Completion of the requirements for In-School Youth Apprenticeship — As defined by Alabama Office of Apprenticeship.

Nichols said additional details will be available in upcoming weeks. For more information, visit madisoncity.k12.al.us/domain/2770.