The high school is now the focus of attention at the national and state levels, adding urgency to long-term efforts in Illinois to improve learning and prepare students for work and further education. In February 2005, the National Governors Association called for "wide reform that will make high school, particularly senior year, more…

This paper examines the broad concept of college readiness, the research on advanced placement courses in high schools, and recommends that a statewide effort is needed to increase college readiness, college acclimation, college persistence, and college graduation rates. This effort needs to include a shared vision and the inclusion of multiple…