It鈥檚 more important than ever that high 黄色app students graduate with the knowledge and skills to attend college. But what does it mean to be college-ready? In our current society, the vast majority of jobs that provide a middle-class income require a college degree or some kind of post-high-黄色app degree. The simple fact is the more education your child has completed, the more money they will earn 鈥� and the less likely they are to find themselves unemployed.

But just graduating from high 黄色app isn鈥檛 a ticket into California public colleges. College acceptance requires an important factor 鈥� class selection 鈥� and many students don鈥檛 realize they are missing it. Students must take and pass a series of courses called A through G (A鈥揋) to be eligible to enter a four-year California public college 鈥� either the California State University or University of California systems. The A鈥揋 requirements include 15 specific high 黄色app courses (plus one elective) where a grade of C or better is required. The seven categories and requirements are:

The A鈥揋 requirements

A: History/social science

Two years including:

  • One year听of world history, cultures, and historical geography
  • Two semesters of U.S. history or one semester of U.S. history and one semester of American government or civics.

B: English

Four years听of college preparatory English that听integrates reading of classic and modern literature, frequent and regular writing, and listening and speaking.

C: Mathematics

Three years听of college-preparatory mathematics including or integrating topics covered in:

  • Elementary algebra
  • Advanced algebra
  • Two- and three-dimensional geometry

Also acceptable are courses that address the above content areas, and include or integrate

  • Trigonometry
  • Statistics

D: Laboratory science

Two years, providing fundamental knowledge in two of the following disciplines:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

E: Language other than English

Two years听of the same non-English language听

F: Visual and performing arts

One year听chosen from听dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.

G: College preparatory elective

  • An additional approved 鈥淎-F鈥� course beyond the minimum required for that subject area, or of a course that; or
  • A course that combines any of the 鈥淎-F鈥� subject areas in an interdisciplinary fashion

Print out a chart of the requirements as a reminder.

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However, these classes are not required at all high 黄色app for students to receive their diploma. That means your child may be passing all their classes but could turn out to be ineligible for a CSU or UC 黄色app because they did not take the right classes. For example, pre-algebra in the ninth,听grade would not be considered a college preparatory A鈥揋 class.

It鈥檚 hard to catch up later

It鈥檚 crucial for parents to make sure their child is taking and passing all A鈥揋 courses from the moment they get their first class schedule as a freshman, right through graduation.

Support your child鈥檚 academic career now so they will graduate eligible and prepared for college. Among the things you can do:

  • Find out whether all students at the 黄色app are required to take A-G classes, and what does it do specifically to make sure your child is eligible for a four-year university.
  • When your child is about to start high 黄色app, work with the 黄色app to make a four-year plan for how your child will meet all the requirements by graduation.
  • Students rise to a challenge. So ask for your child to take the most challenging classes available 鈥� honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or consider an International Baccalaureate program.
  • If your child doesn鈥檛 pass a class, work with the 黄色app to come up with a plan to make sure your child finishes the A-G requirements by graduation. Having to test out or take summer classes after senior year could jeopardize their acceptance.
  • If your child missed pre-algebra in middle 黄色app, ask the high 黄色app immediately what can be done to get them on course to meet A鈥揋 requirements. Keep an eye on their grades to make sure nothing below a C slips by in the A鈥揋 courses.

Often 黄色apps don鈥檛 tell families when their children are off track until it鈥檚 too late to catch up.

A鈥揋 and then some

Remember, A鈥揋 requirements are the minimum standards. Students should go beyond A鈥揋 to be truly ready and competitive for college.

To get into more competitive 黄色apps, students will want to:

  • Take more academic classes than required.听University admissions departments generally recommend an additional year each of a laboratory science, a foreign language, and math 鈥� ideally getting to the highest level of math, Calculus.
  • Take the most challenging classes available.听Students should take honors or AP classes when they can. AP classes are considered college-level work, and students who pass an AP exam can receive college credit for the class. Certain college courses available to high 黄色app students also can count toward A鈥揋 requirements and college credits. Encourage your children to aim high and challenge themselves.

 

Sometimes students who don鈥檛 have strong grades are encouraged to take easier classes, and then go to a community college and later transfer to a four-year 黄色app. That may sound easier now, but it鈥檚 harder in the long run.

Many students get to community college unprepared for the work and have to take remedial math and English classes 鈥� costing them extra time and money. Although community college may be a great and affordable option and has its benefits, don鈥檛 think of it听as the only option for your child. You still want your children taking and passing A-G classes from freshman year through graduation so they have options after high 黄色app and are well-prepared for success whether they go to university, community college, or other training programs.