College Readiness Criteria

College Readiness Criteria Criteria

College Ready Knowledge and Skills Embedded in Curriculum

Definition •

Key cognitive strategies:

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Intellectual openness

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Inquisitiveness

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Analysis

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Reasoning, argumentation, proof

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Interpretation

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Precision and accuracy

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Problem solving

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Key content knowledge ○

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Overarching academic skills 

Writing

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Research

Core academic subjects knowledge and skills

Academic behaviors ○ Self-monitoring – monitor actively, regulate, evaluate, and direct thinking. ○ Study skills – time management, preparing for and taking examinations, using resources, taking class notes, communicating with teachers and advisors, ability to participate successfully in a study group, etc. Contextual skills and awareness ○ Interpersonal and social skills ○ College knowledge 1

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College Readiness Criteria Student and Teacher Support Structure

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Comprehensiv e Assessment • System •

K-16 Alignment of Standards Curriculum and Assessment Longitudinal K-16 Data Tracking System

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Provide students and parents with college readiness information (academic and contextual) Provide teachers college readiness training Utilize high school learning plans Provide college pathway opportunities in middle and high schools to all students regardless of academic standing Expand programs that connect high school student with jobs and internships Offer practice diagnostic placement exams in high school Encourage dual enrollment and college credit Creating small learning communities (SLC) in high school. Assessment system tests college readiness proficiency related to: ○ Implicit key cognitive strategies – ‘habits of the mind’ ○ Explicit key content knowledge – aligned with college readiness standards ○ Implicit academic behaviors – academic behavior management Assessments function as diagnostically Three assessment models ○ End-of-course exams ○ State exam set college-ready “cut score” ○ Incorporated college admissions test with high school exit exams Driven by research-based college readiness standards for college or post high school career pathways Align level and quality of coursework and instruction between K-12 and postsecondary systems Assessment systems anchored within college readiness standards Specific focus on K-8 alignment initiatives within K-16 system Develop a state information system that tracks student progress across K-16 institutions System publicly reports on student progress and success from high through postsecondary education The characteristics of the tracking system include a mechanism to: ○ Report on the condition of education at various level ○ Enable policymakers and educators to identify effective educational practices and diagnose problems ○ Increase the commitment among stakeholders to collect, analyze, and use information on student performance ○ Identify students, programs, and schools that are successful and those that need attention and assistance to become more successful ○ Help K-12 students and teachers focus on the curricula and content that must be mastered to 2

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College Readiness Criteria be successful in postsecondary education. State College Readiness Budget

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Provide financial incentives for K-12 and postsecondary education to support college readiness

References Adelman, C. (2006). The Toolbox Revisited: Paths to Degree Completion From High School Through College. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education. Bangser, M. (2008). Preparing High School Students for Successful Transitions to Postsecondary Education and Employment. Retrieved from the MDRC website: http://www.betterhighschools.org/docs/PreparingHSStudentsforTransition_073108.pdf Boser, U., & Burd, S. (2009). Bridging the Gap: How to Strengthen the Pk-16 Pipeline to Improve College Readiness. Retrieved from the New America Foundation website: http://www.newamerica.net/files/NAF%20Bridging%20the%20Gap.pdf Callan, P.M., Finnery, J.E., Kirst, M.W., Usdan, M.D., & Venezia, A. (2006). Claiming Common Ground: State Policymaking for Improving College Readiness and Success (National Center Report #06-1). Retrieved from National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education website: http://www.highereducation.org/reports/common_ground/common_ground.pdf Conley, D. (2005). College Knowledge. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Conley, D. (2007a). Towards a More Comprehensive Comprehension of College Readiness. Retrieved from Educational Policy Improvement Center website: http://www.s4s.org/upload/Gates-College%20Readiness.pdf Green, J.P., & Rivers, M.A. (2005). Public High School Graduation and College-Readiness Rates: 1991-2002 (Education Working Paper No. 8). Retrieved from Manhattan Institute for Policy Research website: http://www.manhattaninstitute.org/pdf/ewp_08.pdf Hoffman, N. V. (2007). Minding the Gaps: Why Integrating High School with College Makes Sense and How to Do It. Cambridge: Harvard Education Press. 21283628

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College Readiness Criteria Kirst, M., & Venezia, A. (2004). From High School to College: Improving Opportunities for Success in Postsecondary Education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Quint, J., Thompson, S.L., Bald, M., Bernstein, J., & Sztejnberg, L. Relationships, Rigor, and Readiness: Strategies for Improving High Schools. Retrieved from MDRC website http://www.mdrc.org/publications/498/full.pdf State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO). (2007). More Student Success: A Systemic Solution. Retrieved from http://www.sheeo.org/k16/StudSucc2.pdf

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