The ProblemAccording to the NCES, nationally, thirty to sixty percent of college freshmen need remedial courses in order to meet the university admission requirements (2004). In Texas, 38 percent of Texas students enrolled in two-year colleges and technical schools and 24 percent of students at public four-year institutions took remedial courses during the 2006 academic year (Terry 2007 ). In the United States, 28% of universities report that students spend at least one year in remedial programs, making it impossible to complete a degree in 2 or 4 years (NCES, 2003). These students graduated from high school unprepared to participate in college courses. Unprepared students face academic and financial barriers. Failing to prepare students for courses and careers after high school is costly. It is estimated that remedial courses cost students a billion dollars a year. Additionally, according to the ACT, even if they participate in remedial courses, students who need remedial courses are significantly less likely to graduate from college (2005). College readiness isn't the only area where schools are failing. According to Achieve, Inc. (2005), 39% of high school graduates in the workforce report having deficiencies. When asked about their preparation for future jobs, 46% said they lacked the necessary skills. These gaps in the education system will worsen when, in the next 10 years, 80% of job openings will require education or training beyond secondary level (Achieve, 2010). A third of jobs will require a bachelor's degree. Low educational attainment is a national problem. Competing countries now have more workers with associate's degrees...... middle of paper ......e spending on job training courses. Their study concluded that stricter course requirements in the four cores did not reduce the number of professional education courses taken by students. Additionally, the number of students taking professional courses related to IT and healthcare has increased. Increased graduation requirements have been found to have a positive correlation with whether students pursue professional education after graduation. Students from states with higher graduation requirements produced graduates 5% more likely to earn associate's or bachelor's degrees. Additionally, higher college degree requirements have had a positive impact on wage rates. For each additional college course required for graduation, a $423 increase in annual earnings was reported. Bishop and Mane warn that these gains are due to students in specific professions involving computing and health care..