Many California high school students “fall off the college-preparatory track” because they are not taking the key math and science courses they need in 9th grade, says a report from WestEd, a San Francisco-based research organization.
The report, an analysis of high school transcripts, shows that students who complete those courses in 9th grade, instead of postponing them, are more likely to complete the courses required for admission to the state’s two university systems. The report also shows that white and Asian students are more likely than Hispanic and African-American students to meet the eligibility requirements.
“Early intervention and ongoing communication with parents and students about entrance requirements are critical to keeping students on the college track,” Neal Finkelstein, a senior research scientist at WestEd, said in a press release.
