Rising to the Challenge: Are High School Graduates Prepared

This resource from Achieve discusses the results of research by Peter D. Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies on public high school graduates from the classes of 2002, 2003, and 2004. The results found that many graduates cite gaps in preparation, college instructors/employers confirm graduates’ lack of preparation, few employers feel high school graduates prepared for advancement, and graduates who faced high expectations were twice as likely to feel prepared, among others. The findings from the study reveal that many students, employers, and academic find gaps in preparation and skills needed to be college and career ready.