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3. Prepare Students Academically

Prepare all students for college-level work and ensure they understand college-readiness standards.

Students' ability to access postsecondary education depends in part on their high school course selections, yet there are students who are less likely to complete the rigorous coursework that prepares them for two- or four-year colleges.

It is critically important that high schools offer a curriculum that prepares students for postsecondary education and includes advanced courses in key subjects. Counselors and teachers should ensure that students understand postsecondary course requirements by ninth grade and advise them to take the appropriate courses. Schools can help incoming ninth graders plan a four-year course sequence that may include honors, Advanced Placement, college-level and career and technical education courses.