College preparation in high school

The education system is constantly changing to accommodate students’ academic needs. But are standardized tests and Common Core State Standards the right answer? Daniel Mahoney, Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services and Jill Okey, Rootstown High School Guidance Councilor, talk about the process of preparing high school students for college. 

 

[rpavideo caption=”Kyle Heintzelman reports on how prepared the freshman class is academically.”]RPA_Heintzelman_3New[/rpavideo]

Students’ high school experiences change along with the education system

Are high schools preparing their students for the college experience?

by Rachel Sluss

KENT, OH–The education system has undergone changes in the past to rightfully accommodate students’ academic careers. Different approaches are being taken in order to prepare high school students specifically for college.

Daniel Mahoney, Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, says there is a lot of argument as to whether high school students are well prepared for college or not. However, Mahoney says students today are better prepared than ever.

“If you look across the country today, we have a lot more people involved with college than before,” Mahoney said. “We see, basically, test scores have improved over time for students coming out of high school, but it gets complicated.”

Mahoney argues there are many differences in education today than in the past because currently more people attend school overall. For example, SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) scores are going down, but the data looks this way because of more people are taking the test.

“The biggest thing we’ve seen, if you look at the data over the last 20 or 30 years, is there a lot more people going to college than used to go to college,” Mahoney said. “There is a perception that fewer students are prepared than they were in the 50s, 60s or 70s, but far fewer students went to college back in the 50s, 60s and 70s. So, the academic data would actually indicate students today are better prepared than students generations ago.”

Daniel Mahoney, Dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services says every student has a different high school experience. 

 

Mahoney says the percentage of students who return to college after their first semester at Kent State is increasing. The retention rate is about 78 percent.

“The percentage coming back has gotten better,” Mahoney said. “Some of that has to do with Kent State’s support system for freshmen. We’re more proactive about students struggling and getting the help they need. Students who are better prepared are more likely to be retained.”

Freshmen at Kent State are required to complete a First-Year Experience Course (FYE). This course is designed to introduce freshmen to Kent State, their specific colleges and the overall on-campus experience.

It is also mandatory that freshmen meet with their assigned advisors multiple times within their first year at Kent State. The advisors help with scheduling and any academic concerns students might have.

Mahoney says a student’s level of readiness also depends on his or her high school experience.

Freshmen Johna Borosh and Audra Vrotsos, both currently exploratory majors, say they were not ready for college. The two agreed they wish they had more of a challenge their senior year of high school.

“The only thing that prepared me was post secondary,” Borosh said. “I am always constantly doing homework here in college, but in high school I didn’t have homework half the time, and I didn’t have to study half the time for tests so it’s a lot different.”

However, Rose Baxley, freshman computer science major, says she believes she was well prepped and ready for college.

“My teachers did a great job,” Baxley said. “They helped me with ideas for classes and definitely with social sciences. I can’t thank my English teachers enough. Because of them, I didn’t need to take College writing I.”

Baxley says Kent State’s Welcome Weekend was somewhat overwhelming but fun. She also enjoys FYE because the course allows her to interact with students within her field of study.

Jill Okey, School Councilor at Rootstown High School, says she prepares high school seniors for the process of college while teachers focus primarily on academic preparation.

“I talk to the students about the application process and the steps they need to take,” Okey said. “We try to find the right school where that student can be most successful.”

Okey says high school students often struggle with writing and math. Many freshmen students’ struggle in math is one of the biggest predictors of them not returning to Kent State.

“This is part of the reason they [Kent State officials] changed the approach to math,” Mahoney said. “We have a math program in the library that allows students to work at more of their own pace. Faculty members work with them. They progress at a comfortable rate so they can be successful.”

Mahoney says one of the biggest differences in teaching and preparing students for college is the adoption of Common Core State Standards. Forty-six states adopted this common set of standards that bring forth more consistent learning criteria to students in the nation.

“The standards are more rigorous and more focused on problem solving and critical thinking,” Mahoney said. “They increase focus on standardized testing. It’s changed teaching.”

Common Core State Standards are in use in hopes to even better prepare grade school students for college and, eventually, a career.