All Students Proficient and Prepared for College and Work
To ensure access to equal educational opportunities and reverse the graduation crisis among students of color, we must challenge all students to meet the same high academic expectations. Graduating high school seniors—whether they plan to pursue a postsecondary degree or join the work force–should reas
onably expect that the hundreds of classes, homework assignments, and exams of the last four years prepared them for success after high school. Instead, many find that they need remedial classes to acquire basic knowledge and skills for even basic college courses.
In fact, students who attend college without having mastered basic skills cost our nation more than $2 billion a year in remedial coursework. Additionally, increasing numbers of employers require workers to have some postsecondary education and look for candidates who possess critical thinking and problem- solving skills.
All high school students have the right to graduate ready for college and work. Educators must show that they have confidence in young people’s ability to learn by assigning them rigorous coursework that matches their world view and clearly applies to life beyond the classroom.
Policy Recommendations
To increase student proficiency and preparedness for college and meaningful employment, the Campaign for High School Equity recommends:
- aligning high school academic standards with college and work-readiness requirements;
- requiring states to publicly report on access to college preparatory classes and coursework by income, race, and ethnicity among and within schools; and
- providing parents with meaningful information and other supports necessary to enable them to find a rigorous curriculum for their children;
- promoting culturally relevant content knowledge and teaching that prepares students to be effective in a global economy;
- frames of reference of students most impacted by the national dropout crisis; and
- guaranteeing that all students have access to rigorous and engaging classes in core subjects.
Read other priorities:
- All Students Proficient and Prepared for College and Work
- High Schools That are Accountable for Student Success
- A Redesigned American High School
- Excellent Leaders and Teachers
- Community Investment in Student Success
- Equitable Learning Conditions
- Common Core State Standards
- Expanded Learning Opportunities
- Effective Teachers