College and Career Readiness

Alabama College and Career Ready Standards

What are the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards?

The Alabama College and Career Ready Standards are a state-led effort to establish a single set of clear educational standards for English-language arts and mathematics. They were designed by a diverse group of Alabama teachers, experts, parents, and school administrators. They are designed to ensure that students graduating from Alabama high schools are prepared to go to college or enter the workforce. The ACCR standards are comparable to other state standards as well as international standards to guarantee Alabama students are competitive in the emerging global marketplace.

Why are the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards important?

The Alabama State Board of Education wants to make sure that Alabama students are given the tools they need to succeed. High standards that are consistent across states provide teachers, parents, and students with a set of clear expectations so that everyone can work toward together. This will ensure that all of our students are well prepared with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete with not only their peers here in Alabama, but also with students in other states and around the world, maintaining America’s competitive edge. The ACCR standards are a common sense first step toward ensuring our children are getting the best possible education no matter where they live.

6 Ways to be ACCR

• A benchmark score on any section of the ACT

• A qualifying score on an AP or IB Exam

• Approved college or postsecondary credit while in high school

• A benchmark level on the ACT WorkKeys

• An approved industry credential

• Documented acceptance for enlistment into the military

 College-and Career-Ready

1. A benchmark score on any section of the ACT Test,

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks

Benchmarks

Subject       The ACT First Year College Course

English 18 English Composition

Math 22 College Algebra

Reading 22 Social Sciences

Science 23 Biology

ELA 20 English Composition  And Social Sciences

STEM 26 Calculus, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Engineering

The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks are scores that represent the level of achievement required for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in corresponding credit-bearing courses.* 

Students at or above the benchmark are on target to meet the corresponding ACT College Readiness Benchmark in grade 11.

2. A qualifying score on an AP or IB Exam,

Qualifying Score on AP Exam

Qualifying Score on IB Exam

3 or higher on any AP test

2  or higher on any IB test

3. Approved college or postsecondary credit while in high school,

Documentation required - A copy of the college transcript or the official grade report from the college. Only credit earned prior to the date of graduation may be counted.

4. A benchmark level on the ACT WorkKeys,

A minimum of 4 must be earned in each of the three areas tested: Applied Math, Reading for Information, and Locating Information. This qualifies a student for a Silver Certificate. Documentation required - Score report which should be maintained as evidence in the student's cumulative record. 

5. An approved industry credential or

The most current list of approved industry credentials- - www.alsde.edu/sec/wfd 

6. Documented acceptance for enlistment into the military.

A student must have completed the formal enlistment process prior to graduation and provide documentation of enlistment. Documented completion of Military Enlistment Processing Station (MEPS) evaluations are also acceptable. Appointments for MEPS are not sufficient.

Alabama College and Career Ready Standards

What are the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards?

The Alabama College and Career Ready Standards are a state-led effort to establish a single set of clear educational standards for English-language arts and mathematics. They were designed by a diverse group of Alabama teachers, experts, parents, and school administrators. They are designed to ensure that students graduating from Alabama high schools are prepared to go to college or enter the workforce. The ACCR standards are comparable to other state standards as well as international standards to guarantee Alabama students are competitive in the emerging global marketplace.

Why are the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards important?

The Alabama State Board of Education wants to make sure that Alabama students are given the tools they need to succeed. High standards that are consistent across states provide teachers, parents, and students with a set of clear expectations so that everyone can work toward together. This will ensure that all of our students are well prepared with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete with not only their peers here in Alabama, but also with students in other states and around the world, maintaining America’s competitive edge. The ACCR standards are a common sense first step toward ensuring our children are getting the best possible education no matter where they live.

6 Ways to be ACCR

• A benchmark score on any section of the ACT

• A qualifying score on an AP or IB Exam

• Approved college or postsecondary credit while in high school

• A benchmark level on the ACT WorkKeys

• An approved industry credential

• Documented acceptance for enlistment into the military

 College-and Career-Ready

1. A benchmark score on any section of the ACT Test,

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks

Benchmarks

Subject       The ACT First Year College Course

English 18 English Composition

Math 22 College Algebra

Reading 22 Social Sciences

Science 23 Biology

ELA 20 English Composition  And Social Sciences

STEM 26 Calculus, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Engineering

The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks are scores that represent the level of achievement required for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in corresponding credit-bearing courses.* 

Students at or above the benchmark are on target to meet the corresponding ACT College Readiness Benchmark in grade 11.

2. A qualifying score on an AP or IB Exam,

Qualifying Score on AP Exam

Qualifying Score on IB Exam

3 or higher on any AP test

2  or higher on any IB test

3. Approved college or postsecondary credit while in high school,

Documentation required - A copy of the college transcript or the official grade report from the college. Only credit earned prior to the date of graduation may be counted.

4. A benchmark level on the ACT WorkKeys,

A minimum of 4 must be earned in each of the three areas tested: Applied Math, Reading for Information, and Locating Information. This qualifies a student for a Silver Certificate. Documentation required - Score report which should be maintained as evidence in the student's cumulative record. 

5. An approved industry credential or

The most current list of approved industry credentials- - www.alsde.edu/sec/wfd 

6. Documented acceptance for enlistment into the military.

A student must have completed the formal enlistment process prior to graduation and provide documentation of enlistment. Documented completion of Military Enlistment Processing Station (MEPS) evaluations are also acceptable. Appointments for MEPS are not sufficient.