A College Prep Curriculum for All

From "A New Core Curriculum for All: Aiming High for Other People's Children," by
Kati Haycock, in Thinking K-16, a publication of The Education Trust (Winter 2003)

In her introduction to the Winter 2003 issue of Thinking K-16, Kati Haycock calls for a common core curriculum to prepare all children for college. Echoing the findings of the Shared Agenda report and AAC&U's Greater Expectations report (see this month's Facts & Figures), Haycock argues that the "achievement gaps" which often separate minority and low-income students from other groups are reinforced by institutional "opportunity gaps." Schools attended by members of traditionally underserved groups tend to have inferior curricula, less experienced teachers, and lower expectations for students. But what would happen, she asks, "if we educated these youngsters as the future doctors, senators, and teachers they want to be instead of the salesclerks, janitors, and laborers that many of their parents are"?

Before we can fully answer this question, Haycock suggests that we must address common assumptions about the desirability of preparing all students for colleges. Many people, including some educators, continue to view high school vocational tracks as necessary training for the contemporary workplace, while others believe "that educating more students (read: those children) through college will drive down the economic returns to those who get that college education (read: our own children)." To respond to these and other misconceptions, Haycock argues that leaders in the higher education, K-12, and business communities must actively promote "a common core curriculum for the Information Age": they must insist that all students deserve demanding, college-preparatory courses, and they must acknowledge that the skills needed in today's workplace are developed best through such courses.

To read Kati Haycock's complete article download the Winter issue of Thinking K-16. The Education Trust is online at www.edtrust.org.