The Proficiency Mirage: Navigating the Transition from High School Academic Success to College Trials

By: Iteoluwa Aladesanmi (Tutu), EC Oakland Cohort 5 Fellow

Imagine the excitement of being accepted into your dream college only to discover that you must take remedial classes to improve your proficiency in subjects you earned top grades in during high school. How could this happen? The answer lies in the fact that our educational system often prioritizes passing classes over true understanding. Our knowledge becomes measured by letter grades (A, B, C, or F) rather than genuine comprehension.

According to data collected in Oakland, 50.2% of African American students did not meet proficiency standards for 11th-grade English Language Arts. These disheartening statistics also affect other communities, with 43% of Latinos and 20% of Asian Americans falling short of meeting the standards. This issue arises because schools often focus on getting students to college rather than preparing them to succeed in college. Instead of teaching effective memorization and deep understanding of topics, students are encouraged to cram for exams and chase high grades.

As an African American student preparing for college myself, I find this unsettling. I don’t want to spend precious time in college catching up on material I should have already mastered in high school. I’ve witnessed many people I know at the collegiate level struggle with the college workload, partly because they were not adequately prepared for the academic rigor.

Counselors and Educators undoubtedly play a significant role in addressing educational challenges, but now it’s time for us, as students, to proactively engage in agentic solutions to enhance the proficiency of our learning experiences.

Here are some ways in which we can take the lead in advocating for a more effective and efficient educational journey:

1. Self Advocacy: Don’t be scared to take charge of your academic journey by clearly expressing your goals, concerns, and preferences with teachers, administrators, and counselors.
2. Utilize Educational Resources: Take initiative in seeking out additional materials that align with your curriculum to deepen your understanding of subjects. Tools like coursera, khan academy and quizlet are available to use.
3. Counselor support: While counselors are valuable resources, approach them with specific questions and concerns related to academic planning and personal development.
4. Take Advantage of Mentorship Opportunities: Seek out mentorship from teachers, college students who can provide guidance and insights.

Parents, here are some ways to ensure that your child is proficient in their high school subjects.

1. Open Communication with Educators.
2. Encourage Reading and Learning Beyond School.
3. Attend Parent Meetings, Workshops, and Seminars.
4. Stay Informed About Educational Curriculum and Policies.

Those are just some of the ways to help combat these issues. There are other ways that are effective as well. Together we can increase the rate of proficiency in our communities and it starts with you.