WEBVTT

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[Music] Welcome to the overview

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on Academic Preparation for College.

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A large number of college 
students today arrive

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on campus without the academic 
grounding needed for success

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and with little understanding
of how unprepared they are.

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Low-income students, especially those
who are the first in their families

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to attend college, may have 
the greatest difficulty

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transitioning to
postsecondary education.

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This is often a direct result
of not having had access to a

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rigorous, college-ready curriculum
or not having adequate guidance

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and information on how
to plan their high school

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coursework so they are 
college-ready.

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The courses students take
in high school impact whether

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or not they will be accepted to college
and their ability to succeed once there.

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It is therefore essential 
for schools to

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provide a rigorous,
college-ready curriculum;

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ensure that students are well 
informed of what constitutes

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a college-preparatory curriculum; 
and, starting in ninth grade,

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provide individual guidance to 
students so they can plan their own

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four-year course of study.

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High schools should prepare all 
students for college.

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Students should take courses
that cover all major subject areas,

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as well as those with 
rigorous academic standards,

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such as AP, honors,
or college-level classes.

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More specifically, a typical 
college-ready course plan

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should include: four years of English,
at least three years of mathematics,

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two to three years of science
and social studies,

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and one to two years
of a foreign language.

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Experts recommend that all 
students should, at a minimum,

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pass Algebra I by the end
of their ninth-grade year.

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Maintaining such high standards
and providing more rigorous course

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offerings can tax some
schools' resources.

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However, there are a number of 
ways to supplement course offerings

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while  keeping additional 
costs to a minimum.

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Schools can partner with nearby 
colleges for tutors and classes,

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apply for state or federal 
AP incentive grants,

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or take advantage
of online education programs.

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Schools can also work
with their districts to provide teachers

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with professional development
that prepares them

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to teach advanced courses
and raise the bar

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for academic excellence
in regular classes.

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Too often, students
and families are unaware

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of the courses required
for college acceptance

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and continued academic success.

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Middle and high schools are 
responsible for clearly communicating

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this  information so students 
can start preparing

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for college even before
ninth grade.

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For example, students need
to take the following course

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trajectories, beginning in ninth grade:
Algebra, geometry, trigonometry,

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advanced math; American history,
world history, civics;

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Earth/physical science, biology,
chemistry, physics.

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Schools can communicate with 
students and their families

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in many ways such as through 
mailings that detail course

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recommendations and college
requirements  or by providing

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drop-in hours with counselors, 
teachers, or academic advisors.

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All staff can receive training
on college-preparatory requirements

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so every adult on campus can 
serve as a resource for students.

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Information needs to be put into 
action to be useful.

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And beginning in ninth grade,
school counselors need to work

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with each individual student
on their plans to complete appropriate

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college-preparation courses 
during high school.

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Effective planning requires that schools
and counselors know a student's history

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and current level
of academic achievement.

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Administrators can coordinate
with middle schools

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to obtain transcripts, academic 
records, and other resources

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to develop a profile for 
each incoming student.

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This information can be used
to help counselors work with students

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to select appropriate courses
and plan their time in high school.

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It is essential that the 
entire school is on board

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with supporting all students
as they prepare for college.

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This requires more than offering 
some new advanced courses,

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peer-tutoring, and drop-in 
support classes,

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although such services 
are essential.

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For all students to stay on track
for college acceptance and success,

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high schools must develop a culture
of academic achievement and support

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that permeates the entire
school community.

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To learn more about Academic Preparation
for College, please explore the

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additional resources
on the Doing What Works website.