Today’s modern workplaces demand more education than ever before. According to researchers at Georgetown University, two-thirds of all U.S. jobs are now held by workers with at least some postsecondary education or training. And employers continue to ask for more. In a recent analysis of online job postings, XQ found that more than 60 percent now require at least a two-year associate’s degree. Even trades that have long been passed down through on-the-job apprenticeships are now being taught in our community and technical colleges.

For educators, this demands a big shift in thinking. All students, not just some, need to leave high school ready for postsecondary education. And too often a high school diploma is not enough. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 44 percent of students enrolled in public colleges and universities have had to take remedial courses, where they pay to learn what they should have learned in high school. Many never make it into credit-bearing courses, and most don’t earn a college credential.

To achieve universal college readiness, high schools need to go beyond traditional teaching strategies, courses, and curricula so students are actively engaged in learning—not just meeting requirements—and exploring areas that interest them deeply.