Not all students are college- bound and the state’s high school graduation requirements haven’t necessarily reflected that.

However, after more than two decades without major changes to those requirements, a state law signed last year will pave the way for students to pursue “alternative, skill-driven paths to success.”

It also provides even more value to CareerTech institutions like Chisholm Trail Technology Center, which is available to county students at Kingfisher, Lomega and Dover.

House Bill 3278, signed by Governor Kevin Stitt last May, provides a new framework for graduation and all eighth graders statewide begin that path starting this fall.

The law requires students to complete 23 total units to graduate.

Of those units, students must complete four mathematics units and three science units.

While nothing new, how students satisfy those requirements has changed, giving students more flexibility.

While Algebra I and either Geometry or Algebra II are required for math, the two remaining credits can be fulfilled through approved CareerTech programs.

In science, Biology and Physical Science are required, but the third credit can be attained through an approved CareerTech program as well.

“This is a game changer,” said CTTC Superintendent Kurt Thomas. “It affirms what we’ve known for years - that hands-on, real-world education not only builds career skills, but reinforces the academic knowledge students need to graduate.”

Kingfisher Superintendent Andy Evans applauded the move as he said it was a major benefit to KHS students attending CTTC.

“CareerTech has done a fantastic job of integrating math and science into their curriculum programs that have rigor that will meet graduation requirements,” Evans said.

A number of CTTC programs have been approved to satisfy the graduation requirements:

• Automotive

• Construction Trades

• Cosmetology

• Electrical Trades

• Health Careers

• Information Technology and Networking

• Multimedia Design

• Pre-Engineering

• Welding “Each of these programs is rich in applied math and science,” Thomas said.

He laid out some examples.

“In construction trades, students measure and calculate using fractions. In welding, they interpret complex blueprints. In health careers, they study anatomy and physiology. Pre-en-gineering students apply physics and mathematical reasoning to create and test designs,” he said.

“These are just a few examples of the rigorous academic content embedded in CareerTech’s hands-on instruction.”

Kingfisher Board of Education members were educated further on the new requirements by high school counselor Paula Leffingwell during their May meeting.

When students are enrolled at KHS, parents or guardians have traditionally marked one of two paths for their students: One was for those who were college-bound and the other was CORE Curriculum standards set by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Now? “All students will be on one graduation pathway, but they will have choice and flexibility in how they meet those requirements,” Thomas said.

But, with the new requirements come a potential hiccup for public schools.

The OSDE has alerted schools that, based on a United States Department of Education audit, Oklahoma public schools won’t be able to count those who graduate on the CORE Curriculum pathway toward graduation rates.

“As a result, schools with students graduating under the CORE Curriculum pathway will experience a decrease in their graduation rate in SY 2025-2026,” the OSDE told schools. “For schools with many such students, the decrease will be significant.”

But there’s also a solution. They can “opt in” to the new criteria by filling out a form that was approved by the board of education at last week’s meeting.

Now that it’s been approved by the KPS board, the form must be signed by a parent or guardian of the student.

“Not all will opt in, but some might,” Leffingwell said.

Thomas said the new requirements are a benefit to all students.

“With CareerTech programs now counting toward core graduation requirements, students have greater flexibility and more opportunities to personalize their education, whether they plan to enter the workforce, pursue a trade or attend college,” Thomas said.

“The new graduation requirements aren’t just about checking boxes to graduate. They’re about giving students the tools, experience and confidence to thrive in life beyond high school.”

Evans said the requirements will further solidify the longstanding relationship between KHS and CTTC...and other similar relationships within the county and statewide.

“The new graduation standards are building a stronger bond between the public schools and the CareerTech system,” he said.