Raising the competition

As students at CSU have left the safety net of high school and

set out to further their education, Colorado high school graduation

and college entrance requirements may leave some students

unprepared for university academics.

“I think that by the time high school is over, people are ready

to go to college,” said Monique Pawlowski, a senior English

creative writing major.

Some higher education officials disagree.

Last year, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education raised

admission standards that will begin for the class of 2008 and will

make it more difficult for future graduates to get accepted into

Colorado’s university system.

In the past, Colorado high school students enrolled in Poudre

School District in Fort Collins were required to complete 220

credits to graduate. The requirements also stipulated that students

had to take four years of English and two years each of math and

science classes.

Beginning this year, all Colorado high school students must

complete four years of English, two years of elective classes and

three years each of math, social sciences and natural sciences to

qualify for admission to Colorado’s university system.

Maddie Snow, a graduate student studying biochemistry, thinks

the additional required classes will make Colorado’s education

system more cohesive.

“I think it’s very interesting how in Colorado, certain classes

aren’t required,” Snow said. “The students get to choose what class

to take.”

Along with the changes comes a rise in university admission

standards. The requirements will become even more strict for

Colorado high school students graduating in the year 2010. They

will have to complete four years of math and two years in a foreign

language class in addition to the other requirements.

While the changes may ensure that academic advisers, teachers

and other school staff members will work tirelessly to see that

students are ready for college, it may not be quite enough to

prepare the students for classes at a university.

Ashley Hedemann, a sophomore equine science major, feels the

state’s additional requirements and faculty dedication will not

change how much individuals are prepared for college – they have a

responsibility for themselves.

“If you work hard, you can prepare yourself,” Hedemann said.