As a high school principal, I used to think that it was my job to prepare our students for college. However, over the years I came to understand that colleges were only too happy to accept a tuition check and turn right around and send students home. Of course, the colleges kept the tuition money.

The reality is that, as principals, it is our job to ensure that our students are college-ready. By readiness I mean ready to succeed in and graduate from college.

Check out this video “Facts and Figures About College Readiness” produced by the Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools. The video points out some important facts relating to college success:

• The literacy and math skills needed to succeed in college are virtually the same as those skills needed to succeed in most occupations.
• 1 of 3 students take a remedial course in college.
• 42% of community college students take a remedial course.
• Remedial courses cost our nation $4.3 billion each year.
• Only 30% of the students who take remedial courses graduate from college.
• Less than 50% of all students graduate from college in six years.
• Black and Hispanic students are only half as likely to graduate.
• By 2014 half of all new jobs will require post-secondary education and training.
• 45% of new college students have the skills they need to succeed.
• Because of our shorter school year, U.S. students spend one year less in school (K-12) than students in other industrialized nations.
• 75% of workers don’t have the writing skills needed to succeed.

Next: The Keys to College Readiness