College / Career Readiness Indicator
Prepared criteria · October 2026 guide
High School Diploma
Standard or alternative pathway 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 subjects)
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/e or higher on two Cambridge International A or AS level exams
or
- Complete one Cambridge International A or AS level course with a grade of C− or better and receive a score of E/e or higher on one A 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 or higher in the other area
- Complete one semester, two quarters, or two trimesters of College Credit Courses outside of the CTE pathway 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 or higher 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 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 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 A or AS level course with a grade of C− or better, or complete one Cambridge International A or AS level exam with a score of E/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 A or AS level course with a grade of C− or better, or complete one Cambridge International A or AS level exam with a score of E/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 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 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 A or AS level course with a grade of C− or better, or complete one Cambridge International A or AS level exam with a score of E/e or better ★
- State Seal of Civic Engagement ★
About these Prepared criteria
These options summarize the CCI Prepared level. Students must graduate with a standard or alternative pathway diploma and meet at least one qualifying route. Students who do not graduate are Not Prepared. Approaching Prepared criteria are separate and are not shown here.
College credit applies throughout: C− or better includes Pass/P. Courses must be connected to or overseen by the school/LEA, correctly reported in CALPADS, and in an approved academic or CTE discipline; physical education does not count. College credits must be earned for each course by graduation. Independent enrollment with no school/LEA connection or oversight does not qualify. Courses need not be sequential; multiple qualifying courses in one term can count separately. One full-year term counts as one semester.
Paired options: Some valid combinations appear under both measures for convenience, although Table 2 lists them under only one. For example, Civic Engagement + Leadership and WBL + Biliteracy remain valid routes. Each component must meet its stated requirements.
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
CCI readiness measure
New / Expanded labels identify 2026 updates
★ = 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