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.
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