The High School and Beyond Plan is a graduation requirement for every student in Washington State. It's a process for students, parents, and teachers to guide students through high school and think about their future. Plans are personalized and designed to help students set, visualize, and work to achieve goals. A High School and Beyond Plan is one of the three components, along with Credit and Subject Area Requirements, and Graduation Pathway Options, that Washington students must complete to achieve a high school diploma.
The HSBP graduation requirement focuses on three guiding questions:
Who am I?
What can I become?
How do I become that?
Students use these three questions as a guide to think about who they are and what they are passionate about, explore possible jobs that align with their interests, skills and dreams, and discover what kind of post-high school education and/or training will best prepare them for a job that fits them!
Work to create the High School and Beyond Plan begins in 7th grade using SchooLinks, an engaging college and career readiness software that unlocks every student's potential by opening their eyes to future possibilities. Student grades 7-12, revise their plan annually as their interests, personalized pathway choices, and post-secondary goals change. Post high school options to consider as a meaningful first next step after high school include on-the-job training (including internships and public service), technical colleges, industry-recognized certificate programs, apprenticeship programs, military training, or two/four-year colleges.
To learn more about the High School and Beyond Plan requirement, visit the State Board of Education High School and Beyond Plan Resources Page and Ready WA.
High School and Beyond Plan Required Elements:
Identification of your career goals using a career interest inventory.
Identification of your educational goals.
A course plan that meets state and local graduation requirements, aligns with your career and educational goals, and documents your chosen graduation pathway(s).
As part of the course planning process, students must be informed of and provided access to Dual Credit and College Bound Scholarship information and document any completed Career and Technical Education (CTE) equivalency courses.
Evidence students received information about state and federal financial aid options.
A current résumé or activity log.
Students explore their interests, personality and learning styles, skills, and career and educational options through the SchooLinks college and career readiness application. SchooLinks is accessible to students through the secure single sign on app in ClassLink. Parents will be invited to participate in High School and Beyond Planning through the SchooLinks Parent Portal in the coming weeks.
SchooLinks has integrated accessibility and translation features to make future planning and exploration easier for students and families.
Students complete grade level activities in cooperation with teachers, counselors, and career specialist in middle school and high school. Plans are updated throughout the year as units are scheduled for high school and beyond planning and are adjusted as we further implement our Career and College Readiness Program. While students measure yearly progress, students are not required to meet all requirements until senior year. Note: As we transition from Xello to SchooLinks, all grade levels will complete the initial assessments, exploration and planning activities. In coming year, students will review rather than repeat activities.
Find Your Path Assessment
Learning Styles Assessment
Top Skills Assessment
Would You Rather Assessment
Explore and "Favorite" Careers
Complete the "Game of Life" scenario activity
Updating Interest Inventories and Learning Styles Assessment
Find Your Path Assessment
Learning Styles Assessment
Top Skills Assessment
Would You Rather Assessment
Set/Update "Favorite" Careers and Career Goals
Complete the "Game of Life" scenario activity
High School Course Planning in SchooLinks
Preparing for rigorous course taking
Updating Interest Inventories and Learning Styles Assessment
Find Your Path Assessment
Learning Styles Assessment
Top Skills Assessment
Would You Rather Assessment
Set/Update "Favorite" Careers and Career Goals
High School Course Planning in SchooLinks
Create a 4-year Plan for Graduation
Preparing for rigorous course taking
Updating Interest Inventories and Learning Styles Assessment
Find Your Path Assessment
Learning Styles Assessment
Top Skills Assessment
Would You Rather Assessment
Set/Update "Favorite" Careers and Career Goals
Integrated English Lesson - Resume, Cover Letter, and Mock Interview Lesson
Progress Check/Transcript Review
High School Course Planning in SchooLinks
Update a 4-year Plan for Graduation
Preparing for rigorous course taking
Updating Interest Inventories and Learning Styles Assessment
Find Your Path Assessment
Learning Styles Assessment
Top Skills Assessment
Would You Rather Assessment
Set/Update "Favorite" Careers and Career Goals
Integrated English Lesson - Resume, Cover Letter, and Mock Interview Lesson
Financial Aid/Scholarship Planning
Progress Check/Transcript Review
High School Course Planning in SchooLinks
Update a 4-year Plan for Graduation
Preparing for rigorous course taking
High School Course Planning in SchooLinks
Create a 4-year Plan for Graduation
Preparing for rigorous course taking
Find Your Path Assessment
Set/Update "Favorite" Careers
Set/Update Career Goals
Update Personal Profile/Resume
Resume Resources
Resume Upload - Must be approved by Career Specialist
Set/Update Postsecondary Goals
Financial Aid Learning Unit
Progress Check/Transcript Review