Key Takeaways
- • The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) announced on October 27, 2026 that 49.9 percent of Grade 11 and 12 students statewide met at least one college readiness benchmark for the 2025-2026 school year, up from 47.2 percent in 2024-2025.
- • The 2025-2026 figure is the highest postsecondary readiness level recorded since the metric was introduced in 2014-2015, but remains well below the state target of 75 percent.
- • Gains were largest among high-needs, Hispanic/Latino, and Black/African-American students, while students earning three or more college credits rose to 34.6 percent from 30.7 percent.
- • College-level courses completed by high school students grew more than 70 percent between 2018-2019 and 2025-2026, according to CSDE.
- • Chronic absenteeism fell to 16.4 percent from 17.2 percent, a fourth consecutive annual decline, though statewide school performance averaged 72.2 points against a target of 85 or higher.
Summary
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) announced on October 27 that 49.9 percent of Grade 11 and Grade 12 students across the state meet at least one college readiness benchmark, one of 12 indicators in the agency's Next Generation Accountability System. The new data, covering the 2025-2026 school year, marks the highest level of postsecondary readiness recorded since the metric was first introduced in 2014-2015. During the 2024-2025 school year, 47.2 percent of students met the benchmark.
To meet the postsecondary readiness benchmark, students must score at least 480 on the SAT reading and writing sections and 530 on math, meet the proficiency benchmark on three of four ACT subject exams, score 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam, or score 4 or higher on an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam. CSDE reported that the share of students meeting the AP benchmark increased to 30 percent in 2025-2026.
According to CSDE, the largest gains were among students with high needs, Hispanic/Latino students, and Black/African-American students, although every student group saw improvement. Proficiency among Hispanic/Latino students rose from 30.2 percent to 33.9 percent, and among Black/African-American students it rose to 33.2 percent. A separate metric covering students who earned three or more college credits rose to 34.6 percent of 11th and 12th graders in 2025-2026 from 30.7 percent the prior year, with students required to earn at least a C to receive credit. According to agency officials, the number of college-level courses completed by high school students has grown by more than 70 percent between 2018-2019 and 2025-2026.
CSDE also recognized 138 schools as Schools of Distinction for high academic performance, improvement, or student growth, 28 of which are in Alliance Districts. The agency reported academic improvement in English, math, and science, and a decline in chronic absenteeism for the fourth consecutive year, with the rate falling to 16.4 percent from 17.2 percent.
Despite these gains, schools statewide remain below the overall accountability target. Schools cumulatively earned 72.2 points in 2025-2026, short of the target of 85 points or higher, and the state's postsecondary readiness target of 75 percent has not yet been reached.
To meet the postsecondary readiness benchmark, students must score at least 480 on the SAT reading and writing sections and 530 on math, meet the proficiency benchmark on three of four ACT subject exams, score 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam, or score 4 or higher on an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam. CSDE reported that the share of students meeting the AP benchmark increased to 30 percent in 2025-2026.
According to CSDE, the largest gains were among students with high needs, Hispanic/Latino students, and Black/African-American students, although every student group saw improvement. Proficiency among Hispanic/Latino students rose from 30.2 percent to 33.9 percent, and among Black/African-American students it rose to 33.2 percent. A separate metric covering students who earned three or more college credits rose to 34.6 percent of 11th and 12th graders in 2025-2026 from 30.7 percent the prior year, with students required to earn at least a C to receive credit. According to agency officials, the number of college-level courses completed by high school students has grown by more than 70 percent between 2018-2019 and 2025-2026.
CSDE also recognized 138 schools as Schools of Distinction for high academic performance, improvement, or student growth, 28 of which are in Alliance Districts. The agency reported academic improvement in English, math, and science, and a decline in chronic absenteeism for the fourth consecutive year, with the rate falling to 16.4 percent from 17.2 percent.
Despite these gains, schools statewide remain below the overall accountability target. Schools cumulatively earned 72.2 points in 2025-2026, short of the target of 85 points or higher, and the state's postsecondary readiness target of 75 percent has not yet been reached.
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