N.C. eighth graders unlikely college grads?

You probably missed it but a whole slew of education leaders, both state and national, were meeting in Pinehurst on Monday. They were in town for the annual meeting of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and were discussing ways to boost the readiness of students for college and careers. Educators and lawmakers from 16 states were represented.

Gov. Bev Perdue, elected last year as SREB chair, presided over the gathering where troubling news was revealed about North Carolina and some other SREB states. Data collected in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows that 8th graders in North Carolina and 10 other states in the 16 state region were less likely to be proficient in reading than in the nation as a whole. Also, data showed that only a quarter of eighth graders are projected to graduate from a two- or four-year college.

Perdue stressed that middle school is the critical link to getting more students to graduate from high school, and to be successful after they graduate. "We need conversations.. about the importance of middle school and the difference a really good experience can make in a student's life. These conversations have to occur at the school board level, with parents and across the business community. "

The report focused on the need to improve reading and writing skills. It also urged that middle schoolers have more opportunities to discover an interest in and aptitude for math and science. The group also talked about adding transitional courses in the senior year of high school to better prepare students for postsecondary work. To view the complete presentation, click here.