Who Needs Math & Science?

High school students who plan to enter workforce training programs need academic skills similar to those needed by students planning to enter four-year colleges, according to a new study conducted by the publishers of the ACT college test. In the study, ACT looked at the types of occupations that offer a wage sufficient to support a family of four, as well as potential for career advancement but that do not require a four-year college degree. These occupations, which include electricians, construction workers, upholsterers, and plumbers, typically require some combination of vocational training and on-the-job experience or an associate's degree.

The academic skill levels compared in the study were based on job profiles from ACT's WorkKeys program and the company's College Readiness Benchmarks on its ACT college admission and placement exam. The results show that the levels of math and reading skills needed for success in the first year of college are comparable to those needed by high school graduates to enter the vast majority (90 percent) of these profiled jobs. Based on these results, ACT recommends that all high school students should experience a common academic program, one that prepares them for both college and workforce training, regardless of their post-graduation plans.

For further information, please visit: http://www.act.org/news/releases/2006/05-08-06.html

(Article from ACT Inc. press release on May 8, 2006)

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