Restructuring 12th Grade

Brubaker, Jana

ET- Restructuring

Vargas, J.  (2015).  Why 12th grade must be redesigned now- and how.  Jobs for the Future.  Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/?id=ED560768

This article proposes that the 12th grade needs to be restructured so that students are better prepared for the challenges of attending college or beginning a career.  At present, 12th grade is more focused on rewarding students for successful years of high school (prom, diploma, etc.) instead of preparing them for the next step.  J. Vargas (2015) proposes that high schools and colleges should work together to create a “transition zone” for grades 12 and 13.  One suggestion put forth is setting a goal for all high school students, this goal being to complete one college level course in math or English by the end of year 13.  While some students will have completed one or more college level course, many will have not.  This is because many students (especially low-income students) must complete remedial courses beforehand.  Unfortunately, many of these students fail to complete the courses within two years.  

To reach this outcome, teachers must identify students who are ready and who are not ready for college courses by the beginning of 12th grade.  Those who are not ready will either be placed in a transition program, an accelerated development program, or a gateway program at the college.  These programs will address skill gaps at various levels.  Other supplementary courses, such as college readiness and community service, will teach good study habits and provide other opportunities for development.

           In order to achieve all of this, the article suggests that shared interests should be built between high schools and colleges so that they will be more willing to work together. Both groups would need to fully understand and support the program. I think this would only work with this last point in mind: both the university and the high school would need to have a thorough understanding of the program and be on board with it.