School Grads Struggle at College

Ariana Taylor thought he was ready for college after advanced placement physics and English at the Chicago Public School and graduated with an average of 3.2.

In contrast, Illinois State University, she was overwhelmed by the academic load and the demands of college. His first year was reduced to 2.7 GPA - and that was significantly better than other graduates of Morgan Park High School, with an average of 1.75 in the State of Illinois.

"It really was a big culture shock," said Taylor, 20, now a young man who has started a mentoring program for new students. "I had no idea what it would be."

A Tribune analysis of data available to the citizens of Illinois for the first time, raises fundamental questions about the state of public high schools are preparing students for college. The data show these students have difficulty obtaining a B average in first-year students at state universities and community schools, even after leaving the high-performing schools with high grades. In fact, graduates of public schools 10, 11 of the state four-year colleges average less than an average of 3.0 first year.