Transitions to Postsecondary: Analysis of 2008 Quality Counts Jennifer Dounay Education Commission of the States Presentation to the Governor’s P-20 Education Coordinating Council Colorado Springs, CO February 4, 2008

Education Commission of the States Education Week’s Quality Counts 2008 CO: “D”, 64.3%; NY and TN: “A”, 92.9% Five “college readiness” indicators: State has defined college readiness State requires all HS students to take college- prep curriculum to earn diploma HS course credits aligned w/PS entry req’ts State HS assts. aligned with PS system State HS assts. used in state PS admission, placement, scholarship decisions

Education Commission of the States State Has Defined College Readiness 15 states = “yes” Four categories earned states a “yes” –Courses – CA’s A-G curriculum –Skills – TN “Vision of a HS Graduate” –Standards – ADP alignment “complete” –Assessments – AR, TN ACT scores

Education Commission of the States Caveats CA A-G: Remediation still often needed –No state measure of student learning TN: Nearly 50% req. remediation –State assts. not aligned w/ “vision”

Education Commission of the States College-Prep Curriculum Required for All Grads 3 states = “yes” (NY, TX, RI) –NY = Regents courses/exams –TX = “Recommended” curriculum –RI = Readiness may be demonstrated via proficiency-based credit

Education Commission of the States Course Credits Aligned w/PS 6 states = “yes” Results differ with ECS 2006 findings ECS – SD and OK – IN

Education Commission of the States State Tests Aligned w/PS 10 states = “yes” Two categories earned states a “yes” –ACT/SAT statewide HS assessment –State demonstrated alignment (study, etc.) Georgia – ADP-facilitated alignment study

Education Commission of the States HS Tests and Admissions, Placement or Scholarships 9 states = “yes” Scholarships = AZ, MA Admission – MD allowed, not required Placement –TX – benchmark scores on grade 11 TAKS –NY – Regents and CUNY/SUNY placement

Education Commission of the States Conclusion No silver bullets EOCs help ensure course content –IN experience promising Common HS and PS expectations send clear messages to students/parents