My friend's daughter begins high school this fall. The soon-to-be freshman is the youngest of five children, so while her mother is familiar with the transition from middle to high school, the 14-year-old isn't. It's causing some tension.

The daughter wants to take algebra but she isn't fond of math. In fact, she struggles in her eighth-grade pre-algebra class. Still, all of her friends are signing up for algebra next year and she doesn't want to be left behind. Meanwhile, her mother is pushing for a slowerpaced math class, which she believes her daughter is better prepared to take.

"My daughter believes that I think she's stupid," my friend said. "We're barely speaking." I don't want to take sides in a mother/daughter crisis, but I'd like to offer some information parents can pass along to students if they find themselves in this type of disagreement. Of course, students shouldn't sign up for a class because they want to be with their friends. They need to choose the toughest classes available that they're ready to take, and build toward college-ready skills. But students need to remember the "Core."

The core curriculum is the foundation of a high school education. The core curriculum consists of a minimum of four years of English, three to four years of math (Algebra I and higher), and three years of science and social studies. ACT research indicates that students who follow this path are more likely to be ready for college than students who take less than the core. Test scores also indicate that students who take these core, college-prep courses also perform better on the ACT. Students who take the most challenging classes, like Physics, usually do best.

Some students arrive in high school without the skills necessary to immerse themselves in the challenging core classes. It's important for parents to help their students choose the right classes at the right time.

Here are some tips to successfully navigate the core curriculum schedule quest:

1. Follow the school's guidelines. Some of the guesswork may be eliminated, because many high schools recommend classes for students at each grade level. Make sure you know what your teen is supposed to take before he fills his schedule with other classes.

2. Don't skip ahead. There's a reason why some classes have prerequisites. A student can't jump into Spanish II without having passed Spanish I. Likewise, Algebra II would be very difficult to follow without the skills learned in Algebra I and Geometry. Students may think they're ready for a particular class, but success is hard to come by without learning the basic skills first.

3. Know what colleges expect. Core curriculum and college requirements aren't the same thing. College admission offices look at grades in the core classes, but they also require credits in visual or performing arts, foreign language, and perhaps even computer skills. Check out the admission requirements of colleges online to be sure your teen's high school course load is on track with higher education's expectations. Be sure to include several colleges in your research, as requirements may vary from school to school.

4. Don't take the easy route. Sometimes students will take classes below their skill level in an effort to boost their grade point average (GPA). Elective courses add spice to a class schedule and may even spark the beginning of a career, but they may not help your teen succeed in college.

5. Consider getting extra help outside the classroom. I always remind students that just because they haven't learned something yet doesn't mean they can't. It may just mean that the subject hasn't been taught in a way that clicks with them. Perhaps my friend's daughter should work with a tutor over the summer, or take a summer school class. I took three statistics classes in college and grad school - and got good grades - but it wasn't until the final class that I really understood it.

6. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Planning a high school schedule isn't easy. If it was, everyone in every school would follow the same schedule every year. If you and your teen aren't sure which direction to go, contact your student's counselor. Counselors are there to help.

Rose Rennekamp is the vice president of communications for ACT. She is a mom and has a master's of education in guidance and counseling. For more college and career-planning information, visit www.actstudent. org.

Have a question you want answered in a future column? Send a letter to this newspaper or e-mail Rose at AskRose@act.org.