This article presents the author's views on the present situation of American high schools. The current American high school system fails in satisfying the demands placed upon it by all sectors of American society in all classes, regions and ethnicities. He further points out several problems. Along with it, he discusses some academic adjustments…

Although 80%-85% of high school graduates in Geneseo, Illinois intended to enroll in postsecondary institutions, only 30%-40% completed the ACT-recommended college core curriculum and even fewer (10%-12%) enrolled in credit-based transition programs, such as AP or dual or concurrent enrollment courses. Students were fulfilling the high school…

Kansas City Kansas Community College's (KCKCC's) High School Partnership Program was established in spring 1987 to enable outstanding high school seniors to earn both high school and college credit for college-level courses taken on their own campuses. Through the Partnership Program, KCKCC offers classes at 10 of the 17 high schools in its…

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the feasibility of accounting for student performance in advanced high school coursework through the adjustment of high school grade point average (HSGPA) while separating out variables that are independently considered in the admission process, e.g., SAT/ACT scores, community affluence, type of…

During 1990-91, the Two-Year College Development Center conducted a survey to identify formal collaborative efforts, particularly 2 + 2 Tech-Prep programs, currently operating among secondary institutions and two-year colleges in New York State. A questionnaire was mailed to 76 secondary and 65 postsecondary institutions, and 48 secondary and 44…

The role of the College Entrance Examination Board (College Board) in setting standards in secondary school education is traced historically. The first college entrance examinations, which became known as the College Boards) were administered in June 1901 around the country to 978 high school students. The rationale was that a set of common…

Analysis by researchers of the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) on Advanced Placement (AP) courses in California public high schools in the mid-1990s concluded that although high school AP programs offered talented youngsters the opportunity to stretch their mental horizons and preview the challenges of college-level coursework, the programs…

This report provides an in-depth look at five different programs, all of which currently, or are making efforts to, include a broad range of students. The five Credit-Based Transition Programs (CBTPs) studied are located in five states--California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York and Texas--and included two dual enrollment programs (one with a career…

The issue of early admissions or high school-college articulation is examined. Following a historical analysis of early college, reasons for and drawbacks to such a change are discussed. The experience at Simon's Rock Early College between 1972 and 1976, when they instituted a four-year program beginning after tenth grade and ending with a B.A.…

New data are presented on the academic preparation of college-bound students by discipline area and ethnic group, average college entrance examination scores (Scholastic Assessment Test--SAT and American College Testing--ACT) by gender and ethnic group, proportion of test takers and ethnic groups, and advanced placement candidates by gender and…

Recognizing the importance of strong working relationships with local high schools, Triton College (Illinois) has recently developed a series of initiatives which provide an ongoing avenue for students to experience Triton's programs and services while still in high school and thereby facilitate continuity of learning. One group of programs,…

This report presents the current Advanced Placement policies of 51 Missouri public and private, 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. It is noted that students taking Advanced Placement courses develop high academic expectations and increased satisfaction from challenging coursework. In addition, the completion of Advanced Placement courses…

Advanced Placement serves the interests of three groups: (1) high school students capable of pursuing college-level studies, (2) secondary schools that desire to offer these students the opportunity of working at an advanced level, and (3) colleges that wish to encourage and recognize such achievement. Professional consensus on the form that these…

This paper examines some of the major problems and barriers faced by Hispanic/Latino youth who, despite high college enrollment rates, do not complete the four-year degree. An examination of five entering classes of Illinois college students found that only 30.2 percent of Hispanic students had completed their degrees at the end of four years,…

This report examines the ways that credit-based transition programs (CBTPs) may help middle- and low-achieving students enter and succeed in college. It highlights promising practices used by CBTPs to help students who might have been considered noncollege-bound prepare for college credit course work. The report also discusses the challenges that…