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College/Career Indicator

This indicator, reported on the California School Dashboard, applies to districts and schools with students in grades 9–12.

What is this Indicator?

The College/Career Indicator (CCI) is one of several state indicators that the California Department of Education (CDE) reports on the California School DashboardExternal link opens in new window or tab. (Dashboard). It represents the percentage of high school graduates that local education agencies (LEAs) prepare for college or a career. This indicator was designed to encourage high schools to provide all students with a rigorous broad course of study that prepares them for postsecondary success. The following measures have been approved by the State Board of Education for inclusion into the indicator:

  • Advanced Placement
  • Met University of California/California State University (UC/CSU) Requirements
  • Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway Completion
  • College Credit Course (formerly called Dual Enrollment)
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Leadership/Military Science
  • Registered Pre-Apprenticeships
  • Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments in English Language Arts/Literacy and mathematics (Grade 11)
  • State and Federal Job Programs
  • State Seal of Biliteracy
  • Transition Classroom and Work-Based Learning Experiences

This indicator is reported on the Dashboard for any local educational agency (LEA) and high school that enrolls students in grade twelve.

Additional Reports

Designed for educators, the School Dashboard Additional Reports offer information and data beyond what are reported on the Dashboard, including summarized views across all state indicators. One report specific to this indicator is the:

  • College/Career Measures Report
  • Met UC/CSU Requirements and CTE Pathway Completion Report

Resources

General Information about the Indicator
  • College/Career Indicator (Coming Soon)

  • Measures of College Readiness (Coming Soon) A list of college measures used to determine whether a student is “Prepared” or “Approaching Prepared” for postsecondary education.

  • Measures of Career Readiness (Coming Soon) A list of career measures used to determine whether a student is “Prepared” or “Approaching Prepared” for the work-force.
Technical Information about the Indicator
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The College/Career Indicator FAQs web page addresses the common questions received on this state indicator.

Additional Information about the Dashboard
  • Connect to the Dashboard Measures tab on the Dashboard Resources web page to learn about other state indicators reported on the Dashboard.

  • View the 2025 Dashboard Communication Toolkit to access the latest information about the 2025 Dashboard.

  • Resources for parents, educators, and those new to the Dashboard are available on the Dashboard Resources web page.

  • Five-by-Five Colored Tables – Access the Status cut scores, Change cut scores, and Performance Levels (or colors) for each state indicator.

Next Steps

There are no next steps or upcoming changes for this indicator.

Archive

Archived materials from prior releases.

Questions:   Analysis Measurement & Accountability Reporting Division | dashboard@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Friday, August 8, 2025