FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   April 22, 2004     

Contact:  Blake Thompson

(510) 465-6444                                    

Education Trust West Releases Report on Importance of Rigorous "A-G" Curriculum for All High School Students

(OAKLAND, CA) – The workforce is demanding more from California's high school graduates.  A new report released by the Education Trust -- West details why a rigorous high school course sequence (a.k.a.  the A-G curriculum) is necessary to prepare young Californians for the new economy. 

The report was distributed yesterday to Senate Education Committee Members as they considered SB 1795 which calls for A-G as the default curriculum in all California high schools.  The bill, authored by Senator Richard Alarcon and State Superintendent Jack O'Connell, will be taken up again by the Committee next Wednesday, April 28th.

"College isn't for everyone, but A-G is.  Even jobs we once thought of as non-academic like Automotive Technicians and Plumbers, need a rigorous academic foundation - for example, they both need physics.  Ready for Work and Ready for College really do mean the same thing these days.  And California is denying most of its students - especially Latino, African American and low income students -- the skills to succeed in either," said Education Trust--West Director Russlynn Ali.

The short report summarizes research about the kinds of courses necessary for high school students to succeed in the workforce and in college, and documents how many of California's high school students are not provided access to those courses.  Additionally, the report explains why A-G is good for all students, and how A-G improves student achievement and closes achievement gaps. 

This report also debunks many of the myths about A-G and provides school districts with strategies to help implement A-G in their community.

"In the end, it's really about whether adults believe Californian's students are up to the challenge. We believe they are.  The many students that testified at yesterday's Senate Education hearing confirm:  our students believe they are up to the challenge too.  Data from high performing districts across California prove that all kids can do it.  The question is whether adults in the system, and our policymakers, will give them the opportunity," said Ali. 

The Education Trust West report can be found at the following link:

The A-G Curriculum Report

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Russlynn Ali

Executive Director

Education Trust-West

520 3rd Street, Suite 204

Oakland, CA  94607

www.edtrustwest.org