ACT Report Confirms High School Graduates Unready for College-Level Study

    WASHINGTON, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to "Rigor at Risk:
 Reaffirming Quality in the High School Core Curriculum," the report issued
 on May 15 by ACT, a non-profit assessment and research organization,
 confirming that a majority of high school graduates are not ready to take
 on college-level work, Bruce Hildebrand, Association of American Publishers
 (AAP) Executive Director for Higher Education, issued a statement pointing
 out the crucial role that U.S. higher education publishers play in closing
 this gap. Mr. Hildebrand said:
     "This latest ACT report reinforces earlier research showing that the
 majority of high school graduates need extra support to successfully make
 the transition from high school to college. Today's students have far more
 diverse learning needs than in the past, and many are at greater risk of
 requiring six or more years to graduate or of dropping out with limited job
 skills and unpaid tuition debt.
     Publishers have responded to these challenges by developing a broad
 range of increasingly sophisticated learning materials and tools for
 students and faculty, including online practice exams and homework, online
 tutoring, podcasting, video clips, 3-D graphics and other interactive
 features that are available to students 24/7.
     Faculty told Zogby International researchers last year that more than
 half of entering freshmen are not ready for college-level studies.
 Publishers are partnering with faculty to create and customize materials
 that meet the specific needs of students - from advanced to remedial - so
 that both publisher and faculty must challenge and maintain the interest of
 the highest achievers, support students who are less prepared for college
 courses, and meet the needs of nontraditional students, who now are the
 norm.
     As the Government Accountability Office report on college textbooks
 noted, publishers are 'assuming roles that have traditionally belonged to
 postsecondary institutions.' We look forward to continuing to partner with
 the education community to ensure students and faculty have a variety of
 learning materials that will add educational value to the 21st century
 classroom."
     About the Association of American Publishers
     The Association of American Publishers is the national trade
 association of the U.S. book publishing industry. AAP's more than 300
 members include most of the major commercial book publishers in the United
 States, as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses
 and scholarly societies. Further information is available at:
 http://www.textbookfacts.org
 
 

SOURCE Association of American Publishers