As the bell rang, the kids rumbled through the hallways trying to get to class. In class, the clock ticked slowly and, all the words the teacher spoke, they weren’t absorbed. Students clicked with boredom waiting for the other bell to ring, to be dismissed. Then the last bell rang, and the kids jumped up in excitement to get out of the class in which nothing was learned. The kids took the required classes that did not teach them what they needed for college. When the kids left, the desks were empty and so were the minds of the future.

 During high school, there are required classes that must be taken--even though the required courses don’t help kids prepare for college. A study conducted by the Brookings Institute said, that  “education leaders too often judge high school success by high school metrics, not whether students end up with the knowledge and perseverance to attain a degree” ( Hershbein & Ferenstein). High school work often doesn’t show what the student’s abilities on what they could do. Furthermore, “more than 50% of inbound students need remedial training in Math and English” (Hershbein & Ferenstein). Even though four years of math and english are required in most states, results from the Brookings Institute study show that students are entering colleges unprepared for arguably the two most important academic disciplines.

 As of 2009,  The Common Core State Standards were adopted and implemented by the majority of states. The Common Core Standards were designed to teach students other ways to think outside the box. While the Common Core was a good attempt at increasing rigor and relevance, there is something new, different, and better: Rigorous Curriculum. “The Rigorous Curriculum is a certain style for high school students to prepare them for college and their careers.” Also, the Rigorous Curriculum is focused on the essential knowledge that will prepare the students for the future” (Center of Public Education). While still largely untested, the Rigorous Curriculum, could help benefit the students for college classes.

Of course people could object to the fact that the educational system is helping students enter college. “ Most determine admission to college are based on criteria like GPA in high school and SAT/ACT exam” (International Student Guide).  A student needs to pay more attention and focus more on the needs for college. Going to college for some of these students is a dream, but for many, required classes are not preparing them for the college standard.

 Even though some high schools requirments think that they are helping kids prepare for college. High schools are not building up to the standards for their students to be prepared. With sticking with old concepts and not letting new ideas to take affected. These things will hurt students because of the educational system and will not be preparing them for their college needs. After all, the students that are in high school now are the most important ones because they’re the next generation to be building up the world.

                               Works Cited
"College and University Search for International StudentsSearch for Programs in the
U.S.A." Study in US. Spindle Publishing Company Publication, n.d. Web. 29  Mar. 2017.
Hershbein, Brad, and Gregory Ferenstein. "How Important Are High School
Courses."Brookings. Brookings, 29 July 2016. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.
"Is High School Tough Enough: Full Report." Is High School Tough Enough: Full
Report. National School Boards Association, Mar. 2012. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.