Are High School Essays Preparing Students for College?

Confession time: As an educator, I’m always stunned when my college freshmen reveal they’ve never written more than a five-paragraph essay. Can you believe it? Some have never even touched a research or term paper before stepping onto campus! 😱 Is this a widespread phenomenon, or just a quirk of my own classroom in Chicago? And don’t get me started on APA format—why is it treated like a mythical beast, only glimpsed in rare literature classes? 📚 If you’re a high school teacher, do you assign longer essays or research projects? Or is the five-paragraph formula the end of the road? Let’s bridge this gap together! Drop your experiences, corrections, or even your wildest teaching stories in the comments. Maybe I’m missing something obvious—or maybe we’re all overdue for a change. Let’s spark a real conversation! 🤔🔥 What do you think would help students transition better? Share your thoughts below! #Education #CollegePrep #Teaching