Report Reveals College “Preparation Gap”

According to a report by the Center for American Progress, high-school graduation requirements in some states may fall short of admissions requirements for public universities. To understand the extent to which diploma requirements denote eligibility for a student’s chosen postsecondary pathway of choice, this report analyzes state high school graduation requirements for a basic, nonadvanced high school diploma. The authors organize their analysis into three main areas: years of study required by subject matter for high school graduation and state college admission; course type and sequence required by subject matter for high school graduation and state college admission; and how high school graduation requirements stack up against measures of quality. Answering these questions provides policymakers, educators, parents, and students with information about whether the high school diploma a student receives denotes eligibility for their postsecondary pathway of choice: admission to a state’s four-year public university system; further study in a career and technical education (CTE) field; or direct entry into a career or the military. The researchers state that ideally, the answers should be “yes” to both questions in every state.

Jimenez, L., & Sargrad, S. (2018). Are high school diplomas really a ticket to college and work?: An audit of state high school graduation requirements. Washington, D.C.: Center for American Progress. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/high_school_and_beyond/CAP-report-grad-requirements