Eight states across the country are looking to start a program to have their high school sophomores skip 11th and 12th grade and be directly placed into a community college.

According to a report from The New York Times, the National Center on Education and the Economy plans to have sophomores take a series of exams known as the board exams. If they pass, they will be able to enroll in a community college of their choice or continue in high school taking college-level courses in preparation for selective colleges.

The program, which is slated to start in 2011, aims at addressing the increasing rate of college dropouts, as well as have high school students complete most of their remedial courses before they enter a four-year college.

However, this program raises concern for high school sophomores, as well as their teachers. Even if they pass the exams, some wonder whether the students are truly ready to take on college life.

Jewel Coke, a guidance counselor at Vestal High School, believes they are not.

“This puts a lot of pressure on kids,” she said. “They are not ready for it academically and emotionally after only two years of high school.”

If students do not pass the test in their sophomore year, they can re-take it in their junior and senior year. Coke believes this program will not help the college dropout rate.

“From a guidance counselor point of view, it’s too early for them to start college,” she said.

Andrea Spadaccini, an admissions counselor at Broome Community College, agrees that students are not ready for college after only two years of high school.

“The downfalls of this program is that they miss out on the high school experiences, opportunities and resume building,” she said. “It’s college work, and they are not emotionally and mentally prepared.”

According to Spadaccini, if students are not prepared to last emotionally in a four-year college, they might drop out.

Amelia Vance, an undeclared freshman, cannot see high school sophomores doing the work she is currently doing.

“I have a sister in 10th grade and when I compare myself to her, I know she is not ready,” she said.

Vance said high school sophomores would feel intimidated being in a setting with college students who are more academically, socially and emotionally advanced.

Connecticut, Maine, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Vermont and Rhode Island will try this program starting next school year. The National Center on Education and the Economy will fund this program through federal stimulus money, and through funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.