Maryland's Largest School District
The Maryland College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standard is a statewide benchmark established through the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. The CCR Standard identifies whether a student has demonstrated readiness for college-level coursework in English and mathematics by the end of Grade 10.
Students who meet the CCR Standard may continue on college and career pathways that best match their goals, including opportunities such as dual enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), career and technical education, apprenticeships, and early college programs. These are called post-CCR pathways under the law.
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) determines the measures that students may use to demonstrate College and Career Readiness. Students can meet the CCR Standard through several approved assessment and coursework measures in both English and mathematics.
The Maryland State Department of Education has established multiple ways for students to demonstrate College and Career Readiness in both English and mathematics. These include approved assessment scores and other State-approved measures.
CCR determinations are made using Maryland's statewide criteria. Students must demonstrate readiness in both English and mathematics to meet the State CCR Standard. The summary graphic below shows the ways in which students can demonstrate that they meet the State CCR Standard.
For detailed information about approved CCR measures, visit the Maryland State Department of Education's College and Career Readiness webpage.
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is funding post-CCR pathways (dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, etc.) at the level required by Maryland law.
Under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, school districts are required to pay these costs only for students who have met Maryland's CCR Standard.
Historically, MCPS funded post-CCR pathways for additional students who met enrollment qualifications for these programs, even if they had not met the state's CCR Standard. Due to budget constraints, MCPS is no longer able to provide funding beyond the State requirement.
Students planning to participate in post-CCR pathways who:
After annual CCR determinations are completed, students and families can view the student's CCR designation in StudentVUE or ParentVUE on the SGGCR report, under “Endorsements”. See example:
Students affected by dual enrollment funding changes for Fall 2026 will also receive direct communication from the MCPS Department of College and Career Readiness explaining their status, available funding options, important deadlines, and next steps.
Students are encouraged to speak with their school counselor if they have questions about course selection or scheduling.
Yes.
Students who meet Montgomery College's admission and placement requirements may still participate in dual enrollment through JumpStart to College, even if they have not met the Maryland CCR Standard.
However, students who do not meet the State CCR Standard are responsible for paying tuition, fees, instructional materials, textbooks, and other course-related expenses unless they qualify for another funding source.
Limited funding is available through the Montgomery College Dual Enrollment High School Grant for eligible students whose family income is below established guidelines.
Students impacted by the funding change will receive information about available funding opportunities directly from MCPS and Montgomery College.
Students participating in degree pathway programs—including Early College, Middle College, Virtual Middle College, and P-TECH—must meet the Maryland CCR Standard by the end of Grade 10 to remain eligible to continue on the funded degree pathway.
Students who cannot continue in a degree pathway will receive individualized support to explore alternative educational opportunities. Students who remain eligible for dual enrollment through Montgomery College but do not meet the CCR Standard may continue taking college courses at their own expense.
Students can use the Assessment Measures at the end of grade 9 and after. Students must have both an English proficiency measure and a Math proficiency measure to meet the CCR standard. Other measures, including GPA measures and AP scores, cannot be used until the end of grade 10 at the earliest.
The primary CCR determination is made at the end of each school year. Students may have limited opportunities to demonstrate CCR after the annual determination.
No.
Meeting the Maryland CCR Standard is not a graduation requirement.
Students earn a Maryland high school diploma by meeting the State's graduation requirements. The CCR Standard is used to determine eligibility for certain postsecondary pathways and, in some cases, State-required funding.
