In Arizona, hundreds of high school students are now being offered the opportunity to graduate after their sophomore year — as long as they prove their academic mettle, TakePart reports. As a part of an innovative initiative called Move On When Ready, high-achieving students who prove they are capable of taking college-level courses without remedial help, are allowed to move on regardless of their class stature. Launched in 2011-2012, last school year about 12 schools in the state participated. This fall, the Center for the Future of Arizona (which supports the initiative and establishes the program in schools) estimates 30 high schools—including district, charter and private—now have Move On When Ready programs in place.
“We were interested in participating because it’s important for our students to have as many opportunities as possible for whatever career or college pathway they choose when they’re finished with us,” Cindy Miller, assistant superintendent for academic services in the Dysart Unified School District, told the Arizona Republic News. [1]..