EQUIP1

EQUIP1

Department of Eduation

EQUAL EDUCA TIONAL OPPOR TUNITY PROGRAM

Ensuring Quality and Unleashing

Improved Performance

Answers in the Tool Box

A recent study,

Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment,

conducted by Clifford Adelman for the U. S. Department of

Education examined factors that contribute to bachelor’s degree completion. The study

concluded that academic intensity and the quality of one’s high school curriculum counts

most in preparation for bachelor’s degree completion. Some key findings are:

the correlation of high school curriculum with bachelor’s degree attainment is higher

than correlation with test scores or class rank/GPA

the impact of a high school curriculum of high academic intensity and quality on degree

completion is more pronounced for African American and Latino students than any

other pre-college indicator of academic success; the impact for African American and

Latino students is greater than it is for white students

the highest level of mathematics a student studies in high school has the strongest

influence of all pre-college curricula on bachelor’s degree completion

finishing a course beyond the level of Algebra 2 more than doubles the odds that a

student who enters postsecondary education will complete a bachelor’s degree

advanced placement course taking is more strongly correlated with bachelor’s degree

attainment than it is with college access

Answers in the Tool Box: Academic Intensity, Attendance Patterns, and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment

Clifford Adelman, June 1999

Complete report available at http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Toolbox/toolbox.html

The EQUIP series provides summaries of current data and research to enhance the decision making and planning process

as Florida’s educational institutions conduct comprehensive self-assessments to identify measurable methods and strate

gies to ensure access to high quality instruction.

325 West Gaines St. Rm. 348 • Tallahassee, 32399

.firn.edu/doe/eeop/eeop.html

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