1. Defining College and Career Readiness for Iowa
Presenters:
Mary L. Delagardelle, Iowa Department of Education
Al Rowe, Kirkwood Community College
Carl Smith, Iowa State University

2. Session Objectives
Review a proposed statewide definition for college and career readiness.
Seek your input and feedback on this definition.

3. Definition Design Process
Yearlong participation - Iowa CBE Collaborative
Review of 40+ state, association, and network definitions
Expanded Iowa stakeholder groups’ input
State Board of Education action

4. Our Basic Assumptions
Readiness is a multidimensional constellation of skills, traits, habits, knowledge, and choices related to one’s preparation and stated requirements.
Readiness is complex and is shaped through individual’s interactions with his/her immediate environment.
Readiness is cultivated when people, programs, and settings expect students to examine and communicate their progress on performance expectations.
Readiness is revealed through evidence—before, during, and after performance.
Readiness truly reveals itself through transitions when one’s performance shifts between familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

5. Proposed Definition A student who is college and career ready has
the necessary knowledge and skills for successful transition to postsecondary education, and
other career preparation pathways as demonstrated by student-generated evidence.

6. Your Input/Feedback Select a key term from the definition.
Construct your own assumption (or core belief) about it from a CBE perspective.
Elaborate on why you are making this assumption.
Share with other participants.

7. An Example Term Assumption: Core Belief Elaboration: Why Student
CBE environments or learning conditions are best designed and cultivated when students are viewed as learners engaged in deep, personalizing learning experiences more than credit, grade, or point seeking priorities.
The term “students” aligns with the world of school/training and formal credentialing. The term “learner” is better aligned with life demands and the need to continually adapt and adjust to challenges. Competent today may not be competent tomorrow.