Mass Insight pushes for more advanced courses

The Boston Latin School, founded in 1635 and the oldest public school in America.

From The New England Council (newenglandcouncil.com)

"Mass Insight Education & Research has released a new report calling for expanding advanced coursework at the high school level in order to better prepare college for college and career success.  Mass Insight is a Boston-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide leadership in closing the achievement and opportunity gaps for underserved students by focusing on system transformation and student academic success.y,

The study, 'Beyond College Credit: Leveraging AP as and Effective Workforce Strategy,' was authored by Dr. Dana Ansel, and stresses the role of rigorous high school education in addressing workforce demands.  The report suggests that Advanced Placement (AP) courses should be offered to more students to better prepare them for college and eventual career success, particularly in STEM-related fields.  The study also suggests that such changes are necessary for Massachusetts to maintain its edge as a highly educated state with a highly skilled workforce.  Mass Insight notes that it is expected that by 2020, 72 percent of jobs in the Bay State will require training beyond a high school degree, and that 94 percent of the state’s fastest growing STEM jobs will require advanced education.

'Rigorous academics should be seen as a fundamental part of the workforce strategy to prepare for the Commonwealth’s pressing talent needs. We need to tap into the potential of many more high school students – students who currently don’t have access to advanced academics such as AP courses,' said Susan F. Lusi, president and CEO of Mass Insight.''