College / Career Readiness
These criteria outline how students can demonstrate college and career readiness on the CCI · Updated May 2026
High School Diploma
Plus one of the following 12 options
Criteria — one of:
- Complete two AP courses with a grade of C− or better
or
- Receive a score of 3 or higher on two AP exams
or
- Receive a score of 3 or higher on one AP exam and complete one AP course with a grade of C− or better (different courses)
Criteria — one of:
- Complete two Cambridge International A level or AS level courses with a grade of C− or better
or
- Receive a score of grade E or higher on two Cambridge International A level or AS level exams
or
- Complete one Cambridge International A level or AS level course with a grade of C− or better and receive a score of grade E or higher on one A level or AS level exam (course and exam topics cannot match)
Criteria
- Complete two semesters, three quarters, or three trimesters of College Credit Courses within high school with a grade of C− or better in academic/CTE subjects where college credits are awarded
Criteria
- Complete a CTE Pathway with a grade of C− or better in the capstone course
Plus One of the Following
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) score of Level 3 or higher in one subject area [English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics] and a score of Level 2 in the other area
- Complete one semester, two quarters, or two trimesters of College Credit Courses within high school with a grade of C− or better in academic/CTE subjects where college credits are awarded
- State Seal of Civic Engagement ★
- High-quality WBL: Internship, Student-Led Enterprise, or Simulated WBL ★
Criteria — one of:
- Receive a score of 4 or higher on two International Baccalaureate (IB) exams
or
- Complete two IB courses with a grade of C− or better ★
or
- Complete one IB course with a grade of C− or better and receive a score of 4 or higher on one IB exam (different subjects) ★
Criteria
- Complete two years of Leadership/Military Science
Plus One of the Following
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) score of Level 3 or higher in one subject area [English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics] and a score of Level 2 in the other area
- Score 31 or higher on ASVAB AFQT ★
- State Seal of Civic Engagement ★
- High-quality WBL: Internship, Student-Led Enterprise, or Simulated WBL ★
Criteria
- Complete a Registered Pre-Apprenticeship
Criteria
- Score Level 3 or higher on both ELA and Mathematics
Criteria
- Receive the State Seal of Biliteracy
Plus One of the Following
- SBAC Level 3 or higher in English Language Arts (ELA)
- State Seal of Civic Engagement ★
- High-quality WBL: Internship, Student-Led Enterprise, or Simulated WBL ★
Criteria
- Earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement — demonstrating excellence in civics education and participation, understanding of US and California Constitutions
Plus One of the Following
- Complete a CTE Pathway
- Complete one semester, two quarters, or two trimesters of College Credit Courses within high school with a grade of C− or better in academic/CTE subjects where college credits are awarded
- Complete two years of Leadership/Military Science
- Meet all requirements for admission to a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) school
- Complete one Advanced Placement (AP) course with a grade of C− or better or receive a score of 3 or higher on one AP exam
- State Seal of Biliteracy
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) score of Level 3 or higher in one subject area [English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics] and a score of Level 2 in the other area
- Receive a score of 4 or higher on one International Baccalaureate (IB) exam
- Complete one IB course with a grade of C− or better ★
- Complete one Cambridge International course with a grade of C− or better, or complete one Cambridge International exam with a grade of E or better ★
- High-quality WBL: Internship, Student-Led Enterprise, or Simulated WBL ★
Criteria
- Meet all requirements for admission to a UC or CSU
Plus One of the Following
- Complete a CTE Pathway with a grade of C− or better in the capstone course
- Complete one semester, two quarters, or two trimesters of College Credit Courses within high school with a grade of C− or better in academic/CTE subjects where college credits are awarded
- Complete one Advanced Placement (AP) course with a grade of C− or better or receive a score of 3 or higher on one AP exam
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) score of Level 3 or higher in one subject area [English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics] and a score of Level 2 in the other area
- Receive a score of 4 or higher on one IB exam or complete an IB course with a grade of C− or better ★
- Complete one Cambridge International course with a grade of C− or better, or complete one Cambridge International exam with a grade of E or better ★
- State Seal of Civic Engagement ★
High-quality WBL — one of:
- Internship: 50+ hrs, LEA-sponsored, meets expectations on Employer Performance Evaluation, part of LEA course
or
- Student-led Enterprise: 50+ hours
or
- Simulated WBL: 50+ hours
Plus One of the Following
- Complete a CTE Pathway
- Complete one semester, two quarters, or two trimesters of College Credit Courses within high school with a grade of C− or better in academic/CTE subjects where college credits are awarded
- Complete two years of Leadership/Military Science
- Meet all requirements for admission to a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) school
- Complete one Advanced Placement (AP) course with a grade of C− or better or receive a score of 3 or higher on one AP exam
- State Seal of Biliteracy
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) score of Level 3 or higher in one subject area [English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics] and a score of Level 2 in the other area
- Receive a score of 4 or higher on one International Baccalaureate (IB) exam
- Complete one IB course with a grade of C− or better ★
- Complete one Cambridge International course with a grade of C− or better, or complete one Cambridge International exam with a grade of E or better ★
- State Seal of Civic Engagement ★
Alternative Pathways
State and Federal Job Program
DASS Schools Only
- Complete one semester / two quarters or trimesters of a CTE course with C− or better
AND
- Complete one of: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Job Corps, YouthBuild, or California Conservation Corps
Transition Classroom / Work-Based Learning
Students with an IEP who earn an alternative pathway diploma only
- Complete 100 hours of work experience
AND
- The equivalent of four semesters of a course of college and career exploration / prep
Existing CCI measure
Expanded / New 2026 measure
★ = New or expanded criterion within an existing measure
Questions, corrections, or assistance with CCI? Contact Timothy Poseley, Program Manager of College and Career Success Programs — timothy.poseley@sbcss.net