Report Cites 'Expectations Gap' in High School Preparation

All states currently allow high school students to earn a diploma even though they have not mastered the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed at college and in the workplace, a new report says.

To be fully prepared for work and college, students should take a minimum of four years of rigorous mathematics and four years of grade-level English, according to “The Expectations Gap—A 50-State Review of High School Graduation Requirements,” which was released today by Achieve, Inc. The Washington-based nonprofit group advocates strong academic standards.

The four math courses should cover Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and data analysis and statistics, and the English courses should cover literature, writing, reasoning,...