Improving the Transition From High School to Community

Improving the Transition From High School to Community College Michael W. Kirst President, State Board of Education

Common Core could improve readiness of incoming CCC students. How? § By expanding the definition of college readiness beyond the A-G requirements. § By sending consistent signals to all high school students about readiness for non-remedial college work, regardless of their post-sec plans. § By elevating and making more visible the concept of community college readiness.

Common Core could create opportunities for earlier intervention and remediation. § Assessments will provide earlier and more specific information about community college readiness. § Useful for structuring K-16 partnerships, pathways, and bridge programs. § Common point of reference for K-16 faculty dialogue.

Common Core assessments could be useful for CCC course placement… Why? § Administered to all high school students, regardless of post-secondary plans; § Administered at an expected time, under consistent conditions; § Provide data on discrete content and levels, not just dispersion around single marker of grade level proficiency; § Will be explicitly evaluated on performance relative to SAT/ACT, ACCUPLACER, and other instruments.

…and improving CCC instruction and student services. Why? § Entering students will have a portfolio of assessment data on readiness in specific competency areas. § Data could be useful in designing basic skills modules and placing students. § Data also useful for improving instruction across the curriculum.

Common core could also strengthen career and CTE readiness… § Common Core standards and assessments also incorporate career readiness. § Assessments should capture students’ preparedness for CTE classes/programs better than CST/EAP. § Should provide a point of access for CTE faculty to engage in conversations and partnerships with K-12.

…but it will be important to get the details right. § Common Core standards appear to define college and career readiness as essentially the same thing—not necessarily the case. § National consortia have not clearly articulated their approach to measuring career/CTE readiness. § Not clear if the Common Core movement embraces a “multiple pathway” approach (robust CTE in high school while keeping door open for college).

Multi-state partnership may offer other advantages. § Tap into national expertise. § Allow us to buy more at lower development cost: assessments, test bank items, computer adaptive software, instructional materials, PD. § Help us compare the readiness of our high school students and the progress they are making. § Help us compare results of different strategies, programs, policies in other states.