Dr. Karen Nicodemus is president of Cochise College and president of the Arizona Board of Education.

Engineering
SEARLES VALLEY MINERALS
PROCESS ENGINEER Mechanical
Pioneer Landscaping
Diesel Fleet Mechanics Construction
GES Construction
Carpenters/Foreman General
Border States Electric
Warehouse Associates Trades/Construction
Best Paving
Asphalt Finish Roller Operators Administrative & Professional
Oracle Controls
Office Assistant Office and Clerical
Tucson Residence Foundation
Receptionist

Opinion by Karen Nicodemus

On Dec. 10, the Arizona State Board of Education is expected to take action on increasing high school graduation requirements. As president of the board and a member of the Governor's P-20 Council, I view this change in requirements as a first step toward better preparing our graduates for the workplace and post-secondary education.

As the board has conducted study sessions focused on high school graduation requirements, I have found that most participants agree that preparing students for a global, knowledge-based economy requires us to change our expectations of students and our education systems.

To build a vibrant economic future for Arizona, we need to ensure we have an educated work force to take on the high-wage, high-demand jobs of tomorrow. A recent study found there are both individual and community benefits to increasing the education levels of Arizonans to enable the state to compete economically on a global scale.

America's high school students have higher aspirations than ever. According to one study, 88 percent of eighth-graders expect to attend some type of institution or program of higher learning, and approximately 70 percent of high school graduates who pursue higher education end up going to college within two years of graduation.

But a much smaller percentage actually finds success at a post-secondary institution. Only about half of the students who enroll in college are prepared for college-level academic work. This means a sizable number of college freshmen lose valuable time catching up and enrolling in remedial coursework, which costs students, their families and taxpayers.

In fall 2007, Arizona joined the American Diploma Project network, which is dedicated to making sure every high school graduate is adequately prepared for college or work.

According to project's 2007 report, 12 states report that their high school standards are aligned with post-secondary expectations, and 13 states require students to complete a college- and work-ready curriculum. An additional five states have raised high school graduation requirements but not to the level recommended by the American Diploma Project. Others, like Arizona, are in the process of reviewing graduation requirements.

Not all high school graduates aspire to enroll in a college or university. However, I believe preparing students for the workplace and to earn a livable wage means we need to raise our expectations. The challenge is to provide multiple pathways and teaching/learning models, such as career-technical coursework, to better engage our diverse student populations to meet the higher expectations.

As a first-generation college graduate who "fell" into college, I feel strongly that the challenge to our K-12 system is to prepare students for unlimited post-high school opportunities, not limit their options through low expectations.

The Board of Education acknowledges that there are many issues that must be resolved, with support from parents and the community, to best position students and local districts to successfully meet higher expectations.

Increasing graduation requirements without improving graduation rates does not create a bright future for our citizens. The cost of leaving high school graduation requirements as they are is far too high; as an educator, I know we can create a 21st century-ready learning environment.

We need to recognize that it is the teaching and learning, in and out of the classroom, and the relevance of curricula and high expectations, with high support, that will best prepare our young people for success.