Archived: The Educational System in the United States: Case Study Findings

The Transition Beyond High School
The transition to life beyond high school begins in a student’s middle school
years, if not before. We found that generally the middle schools with the highest
scores on state standardized tests had developed more extensive course offerings,
which were differentiated by level of ability, than schools with lower overall lev-
els of academic achievement. Early enrollment in the highest level courses led to
increased opportunities for advanced-level courses in high school. In addition,
most teachers, parents, and students said they believed that enrollment in honors
and advanced-placement courses gave students better preparation for college en-
trance exams than did regular courses. However, college was never excluded as
an option for any student. At one of the high schools we visited, the lowest of
the three levels of academic courses (below honors and advanced-placement lev-
els) were called ‘‘college prep’’ courses. And, a counselor with whom we spoke
at Uptown High School said that even enrollment in a metal-work vocational pro-

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gram offered at Uptown would not prevent a student from further study at col-
lege.
Examinations for High School Completion and
College Entrance
In the last decade, many states have mandated that students graduating from high
school must pass a minimum competency test. In fact, one of the states in which
the Case Study sites were located required these tests. Although many people be-
lieve that the standards set by these tests are too low, they represent an attempt
by states to assure employers that high school graduates will be able to read and
write and do basic mathematical functions.
These tests operate as a standard for all students, but particularly for those who
will be directly entering the world of work.
Students who plan to pursue a college education must typically take one of two
college entrance exams: the ACT (American College Test) or the SAT (Scholastic
Aptitude Test). Exam scores from the ACT and SAT can significantly affect a stu-
dent’s chance of admission to top public and private universities.
Both the ACT and the SAT are commercially prepared exams that are offered
throughout the United States. Many students take both exams to comply with the
admission requirements of various colleges to which they are applying. They gen-
erally take the ACT and SAT during the 11th or 12th grade in high school. The
PSAT, a practice test for the SAT, is taken by some 11th-graders. The cost of these
tests is usually borne by the students or their parents.
According to literature obtained from The American College Testing Program
(Web Site June 21, 1996), ‘‘The American College Testing (ACT) Assessment is de-
signed to measure educational development in the areas of English, mathematics,
social studies, and natural sciences. The ACT Assessment is taken by college-
bound high school students and the test results are used to predict how well stu-
dents might perform in college.’’ The cost of the test ($19 to $22) is borne by
the students or their parents. Test scores are automatically forwarded to the col-
leges and universities to whom students indicate they will be applying.
The SAT is a seven-section, 3-hour exam. Three of the sections are verbal, three
are math, and one is an experimental section used by the test-makers for research
purposes only and is not counted toward the final score. Students receive two
scores on the SAT, one math and one verbal. Each subject is scored on a scale

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of 200–800, with a national average of approximately 500. The basic registration
fee for the SAT in 1996 was $21.50, although students who choose to take addi-
tional subject tests also pay fees for these extra assessments. (Web Site June 21,
1996)
Both Springdale and Hamilton High Schools offered after-school classes to help
students prepare for the upcoming SAT exam. The classes offered at Springdale
were prepared by a test preparation firm, and students who chose to take the
classes were required to pay a $100 fee. Students who did not have the oppor-
tunity to enroll in preparation programs could purchase books that contained
practice questions and suggestions about how to do well on the tests.