As a recent graduate of Valley High School who had to take a remedial course after enrolling in college, I am asking people to support the statewide graduation standards that are being planned for Pennsylvania. After enrolling at Slippery Rock University, I found I had to take a remedial algebra course. If statewide graduation requirements had been in place three years ago, I don't think I would have gotten my diploma without being ready to take college classes. I like college, but also am eager to get into the world of work and see what I can do there. So, having to take a class that I was supposed to have finished in high school could delay my completion of college. And, trust me, my parents don't want to have to pay for any more semesters than absolutely necessary. I read an article about this proposed graduation requirement. The article said about one-third of all Pennsylvania high school graduates have to take remedial courses in college, and it's costing taxpayers and families $26 million a year. Well, I'm one of those statistics and so are my parents. To me, it just makes sense for the state to make sure everybody graduating from high school is ready to take college courses, or go to work. So, these graduation requirements should be put in place so college students don't have to take high school-level classes.
