The Joint Education Committee approved a committee draft to convert Hathaway awards into a lump‑sum payment that removes the 8‑semester cap, limits use to tuition and fees and sets a July 1, 2026 effective date. Lawmakers debated fiscal timing, reserve protections and student flexibility before a 7‑6 committee sponsorship vote.

SB 58 59 would add competency‑based assessments to two graduation pathways so students could meet requirements via competency assessments. Supporters — including Pearson (Edexcel) and students — said the change increases flexibility; SBE and district leaders urged coordination with the State Board’s future‑ready review and cautioned about timing and rulemaking burdens.

Students in grades nine to twelve must enroll in six rigorous courses daily.

District updates graduation requirements to increase flexibility in health and physical education courses

Eleanor criticizes MBLA's full-year ethnic studies mandate and advocates for elective courses.

The superintendent proposed reducing the district graduation-credit floor from 26 to 23 and making a 0.5-credit financial-literacy course required for incoming ninth graders, while retaining a strengthened Global Community Citizenship requirement; the board opened an additional public-comment period before a January final vote.

The committee adopted a balloon amendment restoring a phrase about 'other similar credentials' and passed the substitute to House Bill 2530, directing postsecondary institutions to adopt policies to transfer credits/credentials earned via ACT WorkKeys or similar career readiness assessments based on American Council on Education recommendations.