{"id":17826,"date":"2025-07-25T12:24:48","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T16:24:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=17826"},"modified":"2025-08-07T11:13:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T15:13:17","slug":"sat-act-high-school-graduation-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/sat-act-high-school-graduation-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"SAT\u00ae and ACT\u00ae High School Graduation Requirements by State"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to high school graduation, not all states play by the same rules. Some require the SAT<\/a>\u00ae or ACT<\/a>\u00ae for accountability purposes, others tie them to graduation or funding, and a few let students substitute these scores for other requirements. If you\u2019re navigating college and career readiness (CCR)<\/a> policies or supporting students on their path to graduation, understanding each state\u2019s expectations is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n

To make it simple, we\u2019ve broken things down into two clear tables: one for states with SAT\u00ae requirements and another for ACT\u00ae. Each includes the purpose of the test, score requirements (if any), and how it may affect school accountability or funding.<\/span><\/p>\n

States Requiring the SAT\u00ae<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
State<\/b><\/td>\nRequirement Description<\/b><\/td>\nScore Requirement<\/b><\/td>\nFunding\/Accountability Impact<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colorado<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSAT\u00ae required for all 11th graders for accountability.<\/span><\/td>\nYes, 470 EBRW, 480 Math (Class of 25-26)<\/span><\/td>\nPart of school accountability.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Connecticut<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSAT\u00ae replaces state test for 11th grade. Used as summative assessment.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nIncluded in accountability model.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delaware<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nStatewide SAT\u00ae for 11th graders.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nContributes to state accountability.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indiana<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nStudents must complete a graduation pathway, the SAT\u00ae is one pathway.<\/span><\/td>\nYes, 480 EBRW, 530 Math<\/span><\/td>\nCCR graduation pathway indicator.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ohio<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nA graduation pathway is required, which the SAT\u00ae can satisfy<\/span><\/td>\nYes, 480 EBRW, 530 Math<\/span><\/td>\nIndirect effect by contributing to seal attainment<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Michigan<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSAT\u00ae with essay required as part of MME.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nRequired for graduation accountability.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Hampshire<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSAT\u00ae is the statewide assessment for 11th grade.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nAccountability indicator.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Mexico<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSAT\u00ae required in grade 11 for all public school students.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nAccountability indicator.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tennessee<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae or SAT\u00ae required for graduation<\/td>\nNo specific score is required.<\/td>\nACT\u00ae and SAT\u00ae are part of CCR funding formula.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pennsylvania<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nNot required but can be used as an alternate assessment pathway<\/span><\/td>\nYes, over 1010 composite<\/span><\/td>\nNo direct effect<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rhode Island<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSAT\u00ae is the state assessment for ELA and math in high school.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nAccountability only.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Virginia<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSAT\u00ae replaces state test in grade 11.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nAccountability and CCR.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

States Requiring the ACT\u00ae<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
State<\/b><\/td>\nRequirement Description<\/b><\/td>\nScore Requirement<\/b><\/td>\nFunding\/Accountability Impact<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Alabama<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae required for graduation; CCR benchmarks needed for diploma or alternative pathway.<\/td>\nYes \u2013 meet benchmark of 1 section or alternative.<\/td>\nCCR indicator for diploma qualification.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arizona<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae + Writing required for 11th graders.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nState accountability measure.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arkansas<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae required as part of CCR assessment.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nState accountability measure.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hawaii<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae + Writing required as 11th-grade statewide assessment.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nParticipation fulfills graduation requirement.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Illinois<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae + Writing required for 11th graders.<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nState accountability measure.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kansas<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae required for all 11th graders; optional participation.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nAccountability measure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kentucky<\/a><\/td>\nRequired ACT\u00ae in 11th grade for accountability.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nCCR accountability measure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Louisiana<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae, career path, or military exam required. (Prior to 25-26 school year, ACT\u00ae was required for all students.)<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nAccountability measure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mississippi<\/a><\/td>\nAll juniors take ACT\u00ae.<\/td>\nNot required, but certain scores qualify students for endorsements<\/td>\nCCR indicator.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Montana<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae required in 11th grade.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nCCR and accountability.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nebraska<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae replaces state test for 11th grade.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nUsed in accountability.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nevada<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae required for 11th grade; part of the state CCR indicator.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nCCR and school performance indicators.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
North Carolina<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae required in grade 11.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nCCR and accountability measure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ohio<\/a><\/td>\nA graduation pathway is required, which the ACT\u00ae can satisfy<\/td>\nYes, English subscore of 22, Mathematics subscore of 22<\/td>\nIndirect effect by contributing to seal attainment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oklahoma<\/a><\/td>\nDistricts choose SAT\u00ae or ACT\u00ae for 11th grade accountability.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nAccountability measure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pennsylvania<\/a><\/td>\nNot required but can be used as an alternate assessment pathway<\/td>\nYes, over 21 composite<\/td>\nNo direct effect<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Carolina<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae (or SAT\u00ae) is part of CCR indicator; students can also take WorkKeys. Neither is required.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nImpacts school rating and funding opportunities.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Dakota<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae required beginning in 2025\u201326 school year.<\/td>\nTBD<\/td>\nTBD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tennessee<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae or SAT\u00ae required for graduation<\/td>\nState wide goal of achieving an average composite score of 21.<\/td>\nACT\u00ae and SAT\u00ae are part of CCR funding formula.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wisconsin<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae + Writing required for 11th grade.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nAccountability measure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wyoming<\/a><\/td>\nACT\u00ae is the required statewide test for juniors.<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nAccountability measure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why This Matters: Graduation & Funding Tied to Performance<\/b><\/h2>\n

While many states require ACT\u00ae or SAT\u00ae participation simply for data and accountability, a growing number are tying student performance on these tests directly to high-stakes outcomes\u2014either as graduation criteria or as part of school and district funding formulas.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • In <\/span>Colorado<\/b>, although students have multiple pathways to demonstrate graduation competency, <\/span>achieving specific SAT<\/b>\u00ae<\/span> cut scores<\/b> (such as 470 EBRW and 480 Math) remains the most commonly used and accessible route. These score thresholds have even been temporarily adjusted to reflect changes in academic performance trends, highlighting how policy can respond to broader educational shifts.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • South Carolina<\/b> offers a CCR pathway that includes ACT\u00ae, SAT\u00ae, and WorkKeys\u00ae scores as indicators of college and career readiness. This not only affects student transcripts and postsecondary opportunities but also factors into the <\/span>state\u2019s school rating system<\/b>, which influences funding and resources allocated to districts.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Even in states where no minimum score is required, ACT\u00ae and SAT\u00ae results often feed into <\/span>state accountability frameworks<\/b>, which affect school report cards, state intervention status, and eligibility for additional funding or support.<\/span>
    \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The stakes are real: if students don\u2019t reach the required benchmarks, or if schools fail to demonstrate overall readiness metrics, there can be real consequences, including missed diploma requirements, lower school ratings, and reduced access to state or federal support. Educators, administrators, and policymakers need clear tools to track readiness, prepare students, and address gaps early.<\/span>
    \n<\/span><\/p>\n

    How Progress Learning Can Help<\/b><\/h2>\n

    If your state ties graduation, accountability, or funding to ACT\u00ae\/SAT\u00ae performance, preparation is not optional, it\u2019s a necessity. That\u2019s where Progress Learning comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n

    We provide:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • ACT<\/b>\u00ae<\/span> and SAT<\/b>\u00ae<\/span>-aligned practice<\/b> to help students build confidence and familiarity with test content.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • WorkKeys\u00ae prep<\/b> to support CCR pathways in states like Alabama and South Carolina.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Formative assessments and targeted remediation<\/b>, ensuring students can close gaps and reach score goals.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Progress monitoring<\/b> and real-time reporting, so educators can track readiness and intervene early.<\/span>
      \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Progress Learning is designed for schools and districts. Whether you\u2019re preparing students for graduation or maximizing CCR funding opportunities, we\u2019re here to help every step of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Get in touch below to see our SAT\u00ae, ACT\u00ae, and full College and Career Readiness solution.<\/p>\n