California tracks how well high schools prepare students for life after graduation
through something called the College/Career Indicator, or CCI.
The state has approved a specific list of accomplishments that show a student is ready
for college, a career, or both.
The good news: a student only needs to complete ONE of the pathways below
to be counted as "Prepared." There are many different paths, because students have
many different interests and goals.
Students are sorted into three levels: Prepared, Approaching Prepared,
and Not Prepared. This page focuses on what it takes to reach the
"Prepared" level. Students must also graduate from high school to be counted.
College Pathways
Ways a student can show they are ready for college.
Score well on both the 11th-grade state tests.
To qualify, a student must:
Score Level 3 ("Standard Met") or higher in English Language Arts, AND
Score Level 3 ("Standard Met") or higher in Mathematics.
Note: The best score from the last three years of testing is used.
Succeed in AP courses, AP exams, or a mix of both.
To qualify, a student must:
Pass two AP courses with a grade of C- or better, OR
Score 3 or higher on two AP exams, OR
Pass one AP course (C- or better) AND score 3 or higher on one AP exam in a different subject.
Note: Students do not have to be enrolled in the AP course to take the exam.
Score well on two IB exams.
To qualify, a student must:
Score 4 or higher on two IB exams (out of a possible 7).
Note: IB exams are typically taken in 11th or 12th grade.
Show strong proficiency in two languages, including English.
To qualify, a student must:
Earn the State Seal of Biliteracy (recognizing high proficiency in English plus one or more other languages), AND
Score Level 3 or higher on the 11th-grade English Language Arts test.
Complete the courses needed to apply to UC or CSU, plus one more achievement.
To qualify, a student must:
Meet all University of California / California State University admission requirements, AND one of the following:
Score Level 3+ in one state test subject and Level 2+ in the other, OR
Complete one semester (or two quarters / two trimesters) of college-credit coursework with a C- or better, OR
Pass one AP course with a C- or better, score 3 on one AP exam, or score 4 on one IB exam, OR
Complete a Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway.
Complete college-level coursework while in high school.
To qualify, a student must:
Complete two semesters (or three quarters, or three trimesters) of college coursework,
Earn a grade of C- or better (or Pass), AND
Receive actual college credits for each course.
Note: Courses must be offered through the school or district — not ones a student signs up for independently. Physical education courses do not count.
Career Pathways
Ways a student can show they are ready for a career.
Complete two years of a leadership program like JROTC, plus meet test benchmarks.
To qualify, a student must:
Complete at least two years of Leadership / Military Science (such as JROTC), AND
Score Level 3 or higher in one state test subject (English or Math) AND Level 2 or higher in the other.
Finish a full sequence of career-prep courses, plus one more achievement.
To qualify, a student must:
Complete a CTE pathway — a sequence of career-focused courses ending with a capstone course (grade of C- or better), AND one of the following:
Score Level 3+ in one state test subject and Level 2+ in the other, OR
Complete one semester (or two quarters / two trimesters) of college-credit coursework outside the CTE pathway, with a C- or better.
Note: A CTE course that also counts for college credit cannot be used for both requirements — the college-credit course must be separate.
Complete a formal pre-apprenticeship linked to a real apprenticeship program.
To qualify, a student must:
Complete a registered pre-apprenticeship program that is connected to an apprenticeship recognized by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
Note: These programs include coursework tied to a specific trade, hands-on job-learning, and a certificate of completion.
Complete a major job-training program, plus a CTE course.
To qualify, a student must:
Complete one of these programs: Job Corps, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), YouthBuild, or California Conservation Corps, AND
Complete one semester (or two quarters / two trimesters) of a CTE course with a grade of C- or better.
Note: This pathway is available only at alternative-education ("DASS") schools.
For students on the alternative pathway diploma: classroom prep plus real work hours.
To qualify, a student must:
Complete the equivalent of four courses in college and career exploration/preparation designed for students on an IEP, AND
Complete at least 100 hours of work-based learning (real-world job experience that meets Fair Labor Standards Act rules).
Note: Available only to students who earn the alternative pathway diploma (California Education Code 51225.31 and 51225.32).
Ready to Test Your Understanding?
Try the CCI Quiz Show — a fun, game-show-style quiz with one randomly chosen question at a time.
