Hey Parents...this one is for you! As we get ready to take a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle, consider the academic rigor of your current program as well as future college courses.
What is academic rigor?
From a college instructor, rigor refers to a more investigative approach in the classroom that fosters deeper forms of learning. The learning fosters critical thinking, a skill required for academic and workplace success. Academic rigor, when done well, fosters questioning, understanding, debate of nuance and analysis of topics, issues and even theories.
How do I know if my student is challenged academically?
Tough question for sure, but it gets to a common misconception of what academic rigor is... or in this case, is not, Academic rigor is not additional homework or longer papers. Instead, the course may introduce students to more challenging content, but that is not all. The instruction and note-taking may be above average for a similar course that may not have the International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP) or dual-enrolled (college credit) credential. However, if the instructor does not encourage students to master the content on a deeper level and perhaps question the premises, the higher level of thought is not achieved. It's just a box that is checked on the transcript.
Parents will know if students are being challenged and reaching the deeper levels of understanding when the conversations switches from "what I memorized," to "how I will use this," or "how I don't agree" with this concept.
Why does academic rigor matter?
You may not think academic rigor matters in high school. I would encourage you to read the recent article in EducationWeek by Elizabeth Heubeck. Many high school students are not academically prepared for college. While there are lots of factors contributing to lack of academic preparation, from COVID-19 to changing requirements for standardized tests, ultimately, the blame lies in our education system. I will save a deeper discussion on this topic for a future blog post, but suffice it to say that teachers in AP courses are held to different standards than their counterparts teaching dual-enrollment courses - yet, both courses likely receive the same transfer credit to the same college.
So, parents as you are assisting your high school students with their upcoming schedules, talk to other parents and the counselor. Ask the following:
How rigorous is the course?
What is the academic background of the teacher? Do they have a completed Masters degree in the subject matter?
Does the teacher attend conferences or participate in community learning on the topic? Is there Continuing Ed credit offered for the teacher?
Can I review the course syllabus? What textbook is used?
If an AP course, what is the average score most students earn? Review previous AP Scores here.
What can I do if my high school does not offer courses with academic rigor?
There are lots of options for parents with high-performing students. First, summer camps or college bridge programs in the community may provide the additional academic challenge your student seeks. Check out my linked posts with summer programs in the northwest Indiana/southwest Michigan region. Another option is to seek out online educational programs. Due to COVID-19, lots of high quality online learning options expanded their reach and curriculum. There are lots of educational advantages to these programs, like networking and expanding connections to higher education programs across the country.
Ultimately, parents, you know your kids. You know if they are being challenged or if they need additional help in some areas. If you are not fully aware, a quick call to the school counselor and a chat with your son or daughter will provide some insight. We all want what is best for our kids and remember, this is not a one-size-fits-all society. What works for one student may not work for another!
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