Academic Rigor: At the Heart of College Access and Success

Given our country’s decentralized system of public education, there is no single national definition of a rigorous curriculum. The following course pattern has been defined as “rigorous” by various organizations and programs such as the State Scholars Initiative, High Schools That Work, College Board, and ACT, Inc:

• Four years of English
• Four years of Mathematics — including Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, and preferably at least one other advanced Mathematics course such as Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or Statistics
• Three years of Laboratory Science such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
• Three years of Social Studies
• Two years of a World Language

Other organizations, such as the National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices and Achieve’s American Diploma Project, have championed end-of-high-school standards (benchmarks) that integrate the knowledge and skills students need for college and workplace readiness. Recognizing that course titles alone do not guarantee academic rigor, Rhode Island and a few other states have implemented performance-based graduation requirements, not tied to specific courses, that focus on the demonstration of competencies, skills, and knowledge across the curriculum.

It is widely agreed that an academically rigorous curriculum should in all cases be coherent across grade levels and teach analytical thinking, learning, comprehension, and writing skills.

States and school districts are using various strategies to ensure that all students have access to an academically rigorous curriculum. A growing number of states, such as Texas, Indiana, and Arkansas, have made completion of a college-preparatory program a high school diploma requirement for all students, except those whose families request an exemption. Beginning in fall 2011, completion of Indiana’s Core 40 curriculum — a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum that is aligned with the entry expectations of the state’s public higher education system — will be an explicit admission requirement for Indiana students entering in-state public colleges and universities.

Although various strategies can be used to deliver and evaluate an academically rigorous curriculum, leading groups point to certain common characteristics. Rather than focusing narrowly on content knowledge, classes should encompass both content and the development of cognitive abilities and key learning skills. The Pathways to College Network recommends strengthening students’ cognitive development through inquiry-based learning and problem-solving.⁶ The National Research Council suggests that teachers expose students to more in-depth content in key subject areas by including multiple examples to reinforce major concepts and replacing superficial coverage of multiple topical areas with in-depth coverage of fewer topics.⁷ The College Board’s National Commission on Writing advises doubling the time that students spend on writing assignments and teaching writing at all grade levels and in all subject areas.⁸ In a report on adolescent literacy, the National Governors Association recommends explicitly teaching students strategies for reading comprehension, embedding effective instructional principles in content, and integrating writing instruction across content areas.⁹

By collaborating with teachers from different grade levels and postsecondary faculty, educators can ensure curriculum coherency from grade-to-grade and align the expected outcomes and competencies of high school graduation with the requirements of first-year college study. A well-designed, coherent, and rigorous curriculum accomplishes two goals:

1. All students can achieve mastery of core academic skills over the course of their high school education, opening the door to both college participation and skilled workforce employment.
2. Teachers can connect assignments and assessments and ensure that all students understand the key skills required for postsecondary success across a range of subjects.¹⁰

As schools implement reforms to increase academic rigor, strategies to increase academic support for underserved students must be put into place to ensure that all students receive the assistance they need to successfully undertake challenging work. Instruction needs to be more personalized and individualized, and include additional learning time in core subject areas. Tutoring support in all subject areas along with supplemental reading, writing and math skill-building activities need to be offered both during the school day and in after-school, Saturday, and summer programs. Students also need opportunities for job shadowing, internships, and community service to provide career awareness and connect their learning to the real world.

Teachers can utilize a variety of instructional methods, including smaller learning environments and theme-based study groups. They can provide directed, quality time both during and after school for skill mastery development, test preparation, homework, and project work. To do so, many teachers need training in recognizing differences in student learning styles and adapting instructional methods accordingly. Teacher-led advisory systems are another effective strategy for increasing students’ engagement and connectedness to their schools.

Some schools that have successfully addressed the learning needs of underserved students have double-blocked class schedules, allowing students to attempt to earn more credits per year than other scheduling arrangements permit. (Double-blocked classes meet daily for extended periods and can cover a year’s work of course material in a single semester.) Many successful schools also have mechanisms in place to identify students who are at risk of failing and intervene early with appropriate academic support. Effective practices include ninth grade academies and semester-long intensive catch-up courses designed to better support students who are academically behind.

States

• Institute a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum that includes in-depth coursework in English, Mathematics, Laboratory Science, Social Studies, and a World Language as a high school graduation requirement for all students.
• Align teacher preparation programs and certification policies to reflect the expectation that all students can successfully complete rigorous academic coursework.
• Align curriculum, instruction, and assessment to ensure that students graduate from high school prepared for first-year college courses without remediation.

Superintendents and principals

• Create middle/high school (vertical) teams to align middle and high school learning standards for academic continuity.
• Create mechanisms for college faculty to provide K-12 teachers with an understanding of the content knowledge, competencies, and skills that students need to succeed in first-year college courses.
• Provide teachers with professional development opportunities (e.g. professional learning communities) to sharpen their pedagogical skills and subject-based knowledge.
• Ensure that teachers provide instruction to the same high standard across all courses.

Principals, teachers, and counselors

• Focus curricula and in-depth content coverage, including inquiry-based learning and development of students’ critical reading, writing, analytical thinking, and reasoning abilities.
• Provide all students with academic and social support as needed to succeed in college-preparatory courses.
• Partner with postsecondary institutions to provide students with dual enrollment programs that expose them to college-level learning and allow them to earn degree credits.
• Allow all students to take honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and provide the support needed for them to successfully complete these courses.
• Implement programs that identify and engage students who are behind (or at risk of falling behind) and provide academic interventions that allow them to succeed.