A–G task force urges reframing of graduation requirements, adds ethnic studies semester

The Simi Valley Unified School District’s A–G task force presented recommendations aimed at increasing students’ eligibility for University of California and California State University admission while modernizing graduation requirements.

Committee leaders told the board that over 70 educators reviewed transcript data and identified gaps—especially among students receiving special education services and socioeconomically disadvantaged cohorts—where access to A–G courses or grades were limiting eligibility. The task force recommended increased co-teaching and inclusion strategies, targeted credit-recovery options (CyberHigh, Monte Vista, Moorpark College, summer school), and writing and math pedagogy improvements.

On graduation requirements, the committee proposed adding a 0.5-credit ethnic studies semester and reframing prior category language ("practical arts," "computer applications," "fine arts") into a clarified expectation: two years of world language, one year of a visual/performing art, and one additional STEM/CTE elective as district expectations for college and career readiness while preserving minimum graduation pathways for current students. Officials said changes would be phased and would apply to incoming ninth-grade cohorts in 2025–26, with grandfathering for students already in high school.

The presenters stressed communication to families is essential and outlined a "Keep the Door Open" outreach campaign via Naviance and counseling teams to explain differences between A–G eligibility and minimum graduation requirements.

Board members engaged with questions about how leadership, sports and seventh-/zero-period classes fit into four-year plans; district staff said summer session and seventh-period credit options and aligned scheduling would preserve students’ ability to take electives.