The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 to transform public education in the state into a world-class education system. Within Blueprint, the College and Career Readiness (CCR) Pillar sets a new CCR Standard that prepares graduates for success in college and the workforce by ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to complete entry-level credit-bearing college courses and work in high-wage and high-demand industries.
The Blueprint aims to have all students meet the CCR standard by the end of their 10th grade year, develops CCR-Support pathways to support students in meeting the standard, enables students to enter a Post-CCR pathway that builds on the student’s strengths, develops a Career and Technical Education (CTE) system that is aligned with industry’s needs, and ensures that prekindergarten through 12th grade curriculum, standards, and assessments are all aligned with the new CCR standard.
Options to Meet College & Career Readiness (CCR): Definition for the 2025-2026 School Year as of May 2025
By the end of 10th Grade
Earn a cumulative unweighted GPA ≥ 3.00 AND Math (Earn a Grade of A, B, or C in Algebra 1 or score Proficient or above on the Algebra I MCAP)
Score Proficient or above on the ELA 10 MCAP AND Algebra I MCAP assessments.
11th & 12th Grade Only
One-year unweighted GPA ≥ 3.0 in 11th OR 12 grade AND earn an A, B, or C in a high school level math course at any point in the student's high school career
Two dual enrollment or dual credit courses: grade of C or better; one course must be Math, one course must be ELA, Science, or Social Studies.
Two AP assessments: Score ≥ 3; one assessment must be Math and one must be ELA, Science, or Social Studies.
Meet the CCR Benchmark on SAT or ACT:
SAT: ≥ 480 in Reading & Writing AND ≥ 530 in Math
PSAT: ≥ 480 in Reading & Writing and ≥ 530 in Math
ACT: ≥ 18 in English AND ≥ 22 in Math
Score of At Target on Math AND ELA DLM Alternate Assessments (For students with IEPs indicating alternative assessments)
Options to Meet College & Career Readiness (CCR): Definition for the 2030-2031 School Year
(Grade 9 or below in 2027-2028 school year)
By the end of 10th Grade
Earn an unweighted GPA ≥ 3.00 AND Math Mastery (Earn a final grade of A, B, or C in both Integrated Algebra 1 AND Integrated Algebra 2 or score Proficient or above on the Integrated Algebra assessment Or Earn a grade of A, B, or C in an Advanced Math Pathways course which Integrated Algebra is a prerequisite.)
Score Proficient or above on the ELA 10 MCAP AND Integrated Algebra MCAP assessments.
11th & 12th Grade Only
One-year unweighted GPA ≥ 3.0 in 11th OR 12 grade AND earn an A, B, or C in a high school level math course at any point in the student's high school career
Reporting CCR Status
CCR Status is identified at the end of 10th grade. At the end of each school year, ACPS must report high school students’ CCR status to the Maryland State Department of Education.