• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Districts consider university admission ; New college requirements prompt curriculum shifts

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 April 2004, 06:00 CDT

Standardized test scores run across the top; grade point averages down the left side. Where they intersect often determines whether a high school senior will get into one of Colorado's fouryear public colleges.

But a new system is coming.

The Colorado Commission on Higher Education approved in October revisions to the admissions index a number derived from grade point average and test score and created a pre-college curriculum to complement it.

For the first time, Colorado students will have a list of high school classes they need to gain admission to college. The change affects students in the high school classes of 2008 and beyond.

Universities still will consider other information such as grade point average, ACT or SAT scores and class rank as universities choose their students.

Some require certain classes. Colorado State University requires four years of English, three years of math and a combination of five years of natural and social sciences, said Tillie Trujillo, director of operations in admissions.

The new statewide curriculum calls for students to have a minimum of 15 units, including four years of English and three years each of math, science and social science. Two academic electives are required.

In 2010, an additional year of math and two years of the same foreign language will be required.

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 increased graduation requirements last week to include a third year of math and a third year of science. Other districts are considering changes. Some exceed the new requirements.

The Gazette looked at requirements for English, math, science and social studies only. Districts also require credits in arts, physical education, computers and other courses.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Requirements in Fountain/Fort Carson School District 8 are the area's toughest.

Exceeding the college entrance curriculum, students take four years of four core subjects English, math, science and social science.

Ellicott School District 22 students soon will join Fountain/ Fort Carson with the most graduation requirements. Beginning with this year's juniors, counselor Allen Price said, students must take four years each of the core subjects.

Current requirements call for three years in math, science and social studies.

Students who will benefit from the new requirements are those who, as freshmen and sophomores, think college isn't for them. If they reach their junior and senior years and decide college is an option, they are on their way to meeting requirements.

AT THE LOW END

Lewis-Palmer School District 38 recently increased the credits needed to graduate from 22 to 25, but its requirements remain the area's lowest.

Seniors need three years of English, two of math, two of science and three of social studies, said counselor Shelley Bladow. The additional credits come from electives.

Students who want to attend college are encouraged to take an extra year of English and math, Bladow said. District officials plan to meet with graduates soon to discuss what could be done better.

Two districts require fewer courses to graduate than colleges will accept for admission.

Woodland Park School District mandates three years of English and two years of science. Colorado Springs School District 11 also requires two years of science.

MIDDLE OF THE PACK

Although students must exceed the new college curriculum in Calhan School District RJ-1, Superintendent Bob Selle said they don't need to mirror college entrance requirements. "We aren't training every one of our students to go to college," he said.

Cathy Pobega, counselor in Cripple Creek/Victor School District RE-1, agreed. The district does not require two years of a foreign language, but counselors remind students they might need to take it.

Several districts are contemplating changes in their standards. Requirements might be adequate now, but another year of math and two years of the same foreign language will be mandatory for students entering college in 2010.

A committee to be formed next month will look at requirements in Academy School District 20, said Heidi Pace, director for curriculum and instruction. "We meet or exceed the current standards and phase one standards," she said.

A committee also will convene in D-11 graduation requirements haven't changed since 1989.

The only potential change in Peyton School District 23 JT would be types of mandatory classes, not the number of courses, said counselor Charine Chase. "The last thing I want is for the kids to be applying to college and not have the credits the university wants," she said.

Miami-Yoder School District officials increased English, science and social studies requirements beginning with this year's freshman class.

"We want to prepare our students better," Superintendent Paul Dellacroce said.

In Hanover School District, beginning with its sophomores, two more credits are required. Counselor Clint Frazier said a proposal is before the board to require one credit of foreign language and one credit of a careers class.

If the board approves potential requirement changes in Widefield School District 3, students will need one more social studies credit and one more elective credit.

Ken Potman, director of educational services, said a committee looked at adding a foreign language requirement but found many students take those classes.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0394 or schaney@gazette.com

More News in this Category