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Key Takeaways
- State Superintendent Chris Reykdal proposed a new yearlong course to close the life skills gap for graduating seniors. The course combines an existing civics credit with an additional 0.5 credit for the new course, totaling one full credit.
- The course would require practical tasks such as building a resume, registering to vote and applying to a job, in addition to completing the High School and Beyond Plan, a current graduation requirement for all seniors in Washington state.
- The State Board of Education is expected to consider the recommendation at its August meeting, with a request to the Legislature likely targeted for the 2027 session, alongside a possible statewide cellphone ban proposal.
As the mom of a just-graduated high school senior, I’ve witnessed firsthand the much-talked- about life skills gap young adults are facing.
Take, for example, the fact that just yesterday, my high school-graduate son asked me how to address an envelope for a thank-you note. True story.
After barely resisting the urge to send him a Let Me Google That For You link, I walked him through the steps to correctly address an envelope, then casually mentioned needing a stamp. He was genuinely shocked to learn I had some on hand, because — and I quote — “Who even sends things in the mail anymore?” Apparently graduates writing thank-you notes. That’s who.
Are kids missing out on basic skills?
While parents and other adults have recently been lamenting kids’ lack of basic skills, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal thinks it’s time for schools to “close the gap.” His solution? A new senior-year postsecondary launch course.
“Students are graduating from the K–12 system without consistent access to the tools needed to support their independence,” Reykdal said in a press statement. “Young people are taking on loans and credit card debt without knowledge of the implications. They don’t always know what to add to their resume, or how to register to vote. We can fix that.”
What will the course require?
The proposed year-long course would count for one full credit, combining the existing civics requirement (0.5 credits) with another 0.5 credit in financial literacy and postsecondary readiness.
The course would be timed to match student needs, according to the press release. “For example learning about financial aid in the fall, when students are applying and planning for college.”
During the course, students would be required to: build a resume, register or preregister to vote, apply to a job, college or the military, and apply for financial aid. Completing the High School and Beyond Plan — a current requirement — would also be part of the proposed course curriculum.
What does this mean for families?
In short, nothing yet.
Superintendent Reykdal shared his proposal with the State Board of Education in June, and according to the press release, “The Board is expected to consider formally adopting their draft recommendations to the Legislature during their August meeting.”
The proposed course comes at a time when the Board is considering removing some graduation requirements including “credits in career and technical education, the arts, and health and physical education.” Reykdal is encouraging the Board to “retain these critical learning opportunities for all students,” according to the press release.
Reykdal is expected to request that the Washington state Legislature adopt the course as part of any changes made to the current graduation requirements during the 2027 session. If adopted, the class of 2031 would be the first required to fill the requirement.
Reykal, alongside Governor Bob Furgonson, is also hoping the Legislature will also take up a statewide cellphone ban in 2027.
