Lies from A to G, how the UC system is holding back poor and minority kids

Does your High School perpetuate the A-G myth?

Today I took some of my students to a college outreach fair. The fair featured Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) AND Hispanic Serving Institues (HSI). I took 50 students. When I tried to recruit many students to go (mainly 9th and 10th graders), many of them told me they weren't interested in college because they knew they weren't on the right track with the A-G requirements and wouldn't be able to get into COLLEGE.

Hmmm...

I wondered why they'd think this. Well it is a common misconception among teenage Californians that if you do not take classes in accordance with the UC A-G requirement for consideration of entry, you can't go anywhere.

LIE, bold faced LIE.

Let's break down what this "lie" is all about.l

Here's a chart to explain

I obtained this chart at this website: GREAT ARTICLE ON A TO G BY BOB NICHOLS

Required “A-G” Courses
a l History/Social Science – 2 years required Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and geography; and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
b l English – 4 years required Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.
c l Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 years recommended Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.
d l Laboratory Science – 2 years required, 3 years recommended Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement, as may the final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects.
e l Language Other than English – 2 years required, 3 years recommended Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in languages other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
f l Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – 1 year required A single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.
g l College-Preparatory Electives – 1 year required One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in “a-f” above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the “e” requirement or two years of another language).

In recent years California public high schools have been pushing the "A-G" requirement as the gold standard for high school students.  Some districts inform parents that the raised expectations will make their student more competitive and college ready.  Say it ain't so...

I think pushing the UC and Cal-State requirements for college entry is good business.  You get all these kids ready and brainwashed to believe that if they fall short of these requirements, they won't graduate and they will never have access to the American dream via college. If they buy into the lie, then they will attend a California university keeping money in California.  Great... except your public high schools have not adequately prepared students in the first place.

This is why I took my students to the college fair today.  In a world where poor and minority students are encouraged to go to community college instead of pursuing four year, out of state college entrance, it makes one wonder if this is indicative of the same institutional racism that has these students in sub par public school settings in the first place.

Remember my post about BIGOTRY OF LOWERED EXPECTATIONS, (CLICK HERE) ?



I get so sick and tired of my students thinking that their high school lives are OVER by 11th grade.

I'm glad I took them to the outreach fair today, exposure is everything. My students spoke to representatives from Moorehouse, Spelman, Howard, etc... and found that there is a path to college for them.

Besides, for as much "diversity" as California claims to have, it is very classist.  Maybe seeing other areas is good for them.

What is your take on A to G?