It is time for a new approach to high school, redesigning the American high school to one that challenges students and gives them new opportunities to transition to college or careers. In the National Governors Association we have identified ten steps governors (and/ or state governments) can take to quickly put states on the path to redesigning the American high school. These steps will hopefully lead many states to system-wide reform. 1. Create a permanent education roundtable or commission to foster coordination between early childhood, K-12 and higher education. Consolidation of educational governance would require many states to change their constitutions. However, governors can issue executive orders or support legislation creating an education roundtable or commission with clearly defined responsibilities. 2. Define a rigorous college and work preparatory curriculum for high school graduation. A rigorous high school curriculum improves high school achievement, reduces college remediation and encourages college completion. Reward schools that voluntarily change their curriculum and adopt it as a graduation requirement with a “Governor’s Merit High School” recognition program. Engage foundations and corporations to co-sponsor the recognitions and rewards. 3. Challenge business, education, parent, community and faith-based organisations to support initiatives that improve college awareness. Fewer than half of economically disadvantaged students receive college aid information. This mirrors gaps in college participation and completion between low-income and high-income students. Statewide initiatives such as “College Goal Sundays” and “College Access Networks” can broadly share information on college entrance requirements and financial aid applications. 4. Conduct college and work-readiness assessments in high school. High percentages of high school graduates are entering college in need of remediation. States are expending tremendous resources on remedial courses instead of college-level coursework. States can require all students to take a college readiness test in high school. 5. Create statewide common course agreements so that college-level work in high school counts towards a post-secondary credential. The promise of saving money on college tuition by getting a jumpstart on courses while in high school is meaningless if a college doesn’t accept earned credits. States can promote common course agreements that stipulate which core college-level courses taken during high school are accepted at any postsecondary institution so that all credits count towards a degree or industry certificate. 6. Provide financial incentives for disadvantaged students to take rigorous AP (advanced placement) exams and college–preparatory and college-level courses. Financial incentives can motivate students to think beyond high school and make college seem like an affordable option for their future. States can make an early (grade VII) financial aid commitment to students who agree to take the rigorous college-prep curriculum. States that pay tuition for college-level courses at community colleges, or provide scholarships for students attending college while still in high school, see higher rates of program participation. 7. Expand college-level learning opportunities in high school to minorities, English language learners, low-income students and youth with disabilities. Data indicates these students are less likely to take advanced placement courses, enroll in college courses while still in high school or sit for industry-recognised certification exams. States can increase AP…
