Is your high-school student being challenged?

A growing body of evidence capped by new research this year would suggest not.

American high schools are under fire from everyone from U.S. governors to Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, who called them obsolete and not rigorous or relevant enough to prepare students for college and future jobs.

What's a parent to do?

Besides possibly lobbying for change, it pays to be aware of some trouble signs, listed below. We've also provided suggestions of how students can take the initiative to prepare themselves.

Four must-have skills

Graduating seniors should know how to:

• Think analytically

• Solve problems

• Form opinions

• Conduct research

Source: Standards for Success Project, Association of American Universities

Here's what experts suggest high-school students do to bulk up for college:

TAKE DEMANDING COURSES: The single best indicator of how well a student does in college is not an SAT score or GPA but the difficulty of his high-school courses. Go beyond college-entry requirements: For example, take four years of foreign language, not just two; two lab sciences, not just one.

MORE MATH: Studies show a strong correlation between taking rigorous math classes in high school and doing well in college. Those who take algebra or integrated math before they complete ninth grade should be set — IF they keep taking classes that are more and more demanding. Those who get requirements out of the way early and don't take more math in 11th and 12th grade are likely to forget it by college and need remedial classes.

PRACTICE WRITING: Take classes that assign essay or report writing, to prepare for the huge writing workload of college.

In a recent survey half of college students reported that they'd written one to four 20-page papers in a single semester. Half also reported writing 10 or more papers that were up to five pages long.

READ: Reading novels, biographies, newspapers, you name it, helps students expand their vocabulary and their world and prepare to join academic discussions.

In college, students can expect to be assigned hundreds of pages to read each week and will be tested on the reading, not just lectures.

DEBATE: Because a key skill for college success is the ability to express oneself clearly and convincingly, joining a debate team is a smart move.

TRY AP, COLLEGE PREP OR RUNNING START: Taking a college-level class while in high school can help students ramp up for college.

Sources include: administrators from Central Washington University, Seattle University, University of Washington and University of Oregon.

— Patti Jones