Ohio Won’t Approve Weak Credentials That Students Use as ‘Shortcut’ to Graduate
August 28, 2026
Patrick O'Donnell AP News/The 74
Hoping to make sure high school students don’t waste time earning career credentials that won’t help them find jobs, Ohio is slashing the credentials counted towards graduation, axing easy ones that thousands of students earn, but don’t lead anywhere.
High schools nationally are increasingly encouraging students, especially those who don’t plan on going to college, to earn certificates and licenses in trades or office skills so they have a chance to earn a living after graduating. Ohio, since 2019, has made earning a credential that’s recognized by employers a key path to earning a diploma.
But concerns have grown in recent years over a mismatch nationally between what schools offer and businesses want, with one study estimating that only 18 percent of credentials earned by high school students matter to employers.