New high school graduation requirements aren’t set in stone yet — the Public Education Department still has to finalize them — but districts are getting ready.
Superintendent Scott Elder says Albuquerque Public Schools will be ready when the new rules kick in and that the district already meets a key threshold, with more minimum credits than called for.
House Bill 171, which was signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham earlier this month, adds a financial literacy component and counts career focused classes toward graduation, among other features. The graduation requirements hadn’t been updated since 2009.
Students will continue to need to earn 24 credits before they graduate. Elder, in his weekly message, said APS requires 25 credits and is unlikely to reduce that number.
Nuts and bolts
Financial literacy will have to be part of a social studies class and the subject — along with computer science and languages other than English — are mandated to be offered as electives.
Completion of Algebra 2 will no longer be a prerequisite for graduation, but high schools will still have to offer it.
Courses in career and technical education and work-based learning will be counted for up to two of the required credits.
“Many of the new requirements dovetail with our goals, particularly our efforts to ensure that we’re preparing our students for college or to pursue the career of their choice and that they graduate with the skills, habits, and mindsets they will need to be successful in life,” Elder wrote. “I welcome the enhanced focus on career-connected learning.”
The new law also requires districts to develop graduate profiles that are specific to their communities and identify knowledge and competencies that will be key to graduates’ success after high school.
“We’re a little ahead of the game on this requirement,” Elder wrote, citing APS’ recent outreach and listening sessions that led to establishing district goals early last year. “Our community told us what skills students should have when they graduate to set them up for success in life.”
Requirements for middle schoolers
Also part of the bill is a requirement that each student complete half a unit in health education, which may be earned in middle or high school.
The new law mandates changes to plans that students develop at the end of eighth grade to include options such as advanced placement, international baccalaureate programs, distance learning and other choices. Elder wrote that this requirement lines up with APS’ goal of post-secondary readiness for each student.
His message states that district staff are working to provide guidance and support to schools and the community on how the new requirements will be implemented at APS.
Those in high school now are not subject to the new requirements, which go into effect with the freshmen of the 2025-2026 school year.
The New Mexico Public Education Department has until Dec. 31 to finalize the rules, which will provide schools with guidance for complying with the new law, according to the text of House Bill 171.