In the past year, more than half of California’s graduating high school seniors fell short of meeting the college prep requirements known as A-G. This meant that despite successfully completing high school, many students found themselves ineligible for admission to California’s public universities, much to the dismay and confusion of both students and their families.

The A-G requirements consist of 15 courses in seven areas that overlap with the requirements for a high school diploma but are more rigorous.  Students who want to attend a four-year public university in the UC or CSU system must complete these courses, but they are often uninformed or lack the necessary support to complete them. Parents and students are left to navigate the process by themselves. 

According to EdSource‘s analysis, a staggering 82% of English Learners failed to meet these standards. Moreover, the data highlights the disproportionate impact on African American and Latino students. In 2023, 68% of African American students and 64% of Latino students did not meet the A-G requirements, contrasting with 26% of Asian students and 48% of white students.

California high schools must step up their efforts to enhance awareness and support for students, with the goal of increasing the completion rate of college preparatory courses.

EdSource <edsource.org> convened a roundtable discussion to delve into the significance of these requirements, explore the underlying reasons for inequity, and talk about what schools can do to increase the number of California students eligible for 4-year college. Click on the link to watch a recording of the roundtable and to read more about this crucial topic. Increasing access can raise number of California students eligible for 4-year colleges, panel says | EdSource