Shining a light on education & government in TennesseeShining a light on education & government in TennesseeCollege and career readiness metrics for Tennessee high schools
Students qualify as Ready Graduates by earning a regular high school diploma plus meeting at least one of the following criteria: ACT composite of 21 or higher, SAT score of 1060 or higher, completion of four Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSOs), completion of two EPSOs plus a qualifying work-based learning experience, earning an industry certification in their concentration area, or military enlistment. Ready Graduate status is Tennessee's primary measure of whether students leave high school prepared for college or a career.
Students can earn Ready Graduate status through any one of these six pathways. Each pathway is designed to validate college or career preparedness.
Score a composite of 21 or higher on the ACT. This is the most common pathway, used by approximately 40% of Ready Graduates statewide.
Score 1060 or higher on the SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing plus Math). Accepted as an equivalent to the ACT pathway.
Complete four Early Postsecondary Opportunities, which include AP courses, dual enrollment, Cambridge International, CLEP, IB, and SDC courses.
Complete two EPSOs plus a qualifying work-based learning experience such as an internship, apprenticeship, or clinical rotation.
Earn an industry certification aligned to the student's CTE concentration area. Certifications must be approved by the Tennessee Department of Education.
Enlist in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, verified through ASVAB scores and enlistment documentation on file with the school.