Parents preparing for college - Letters To The Editor - Letter to the Editor

I read with much interest your article, "Parents Preparing For College," (Sept. 2002). As the director of a college awareness and readiness program for middle grades (6-9) and high school students, I know full well how important it is for parents to become involved in their children's education.

There are two additional key points that should be emphasized for your readers: 1) The college preparation process is every bit as important as the college selection process. Whether students actually attend a four-year college or not, every student should take a "college prep" curriculum in high school. This level of academic preparation assures students of more options in their post-secondary choices and ensures that they will not be at an economic or academic disadvantage in the marketplace when compared to their peers. 2) Writing is a key literacy skill that students must master. Parents must understand that multiple choice formats on tests and quizzes do not serve their children well and do not prepare them for the extensive writing assignments that they will face in college.

Parents must press schools to provide academic rigor in all subjects and to provide assignments across the curriculum--not just in English. Writing ability is critical to college success.

A college education is a dream for many people, but it must become a reality for many more African-Americans. We must all work to change the culture of families, schools and communities that says only suburban students, nerds or rich people should go to college. A college education makes the difference in a person's life--for the rest of their life.

ARMITA B. SIMS
Project Director
GEAR UP/Middle Grades Reform
Philadelphia, Pa.

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