Published by The Patriot-News on Thursday, January 14, 2010:
Gaining admission to Shippensburg, Millersville or one of the 12 other state universities will be more challenging for future students, especially those who cringe at the idea of taking Algebra II or physics.
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education announced that beginning in 2013, students entering the system’s universities will be required to have a passing grade on certain high school courses. The step comes as universities are spending a great deal of time and money on remedial education for students who aren’t ready for college.
“There’s so much research out there that really says the critical thing for student success in college is having taken a rigorous curriculum in high school,” said Jim Moran, the system’s vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.
The universities’ admission requirements will include four years of English, three years of math, three years of science and three years of social studies in addition to other requirements currently in place.
Most students now enrolled at the state universities would meet this requirement, but Moran said the nuance to this policy is that it will be expected of all students. He said the policy allows for universities to admit students who don’t meet the requirements on a provisional basis and provide them the extra help they need.
Moran said he hopes the new criteria will reduce the number of students taking college remedial courses. One-third of recent high school graduates who enrolled in community colleges or state universities weren’t prepared for college courses, according to a 2009 state Department of Education report.
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