A system exists for quantifying secondary education coursework, typically measuring seat time in a specific subject over the course of a year. One such unit of measurement represents 120 hours of instruction in a given subject. For example, a student completing a year-long English course meeting daily for one hour would typically earn one such unit.
This standardized measurement facilitates college admissions processes by providing a consistent framework for evaluating high school transcripts from diverse educational institutions. It allows colleges to compare applicants’ academic preparation based on a common metric, regardless of variations in course titles or grading scales. Developed in the early 20th century, this system played a pivotal role in standardizing American secondary education and continues to be relevant in evaluating high school completion and college readiness.
