1. The Continuum of College and Career Readiness Creating Successful Transitions to Postsecondary Education Dr. David T. Conley, Professor, University of Oregon, CEO- EPIC © 2011 David T. Conley

2. Today’s talk is based on: © 2011 David T. Conley

3. Today’s students are entering a different world. YESTERDAY Work for large company One job for life Steadily increasing pay Stay in hometown Secure retirement Well-paying jobs available in low-skill professions No real international competition for good jobs TODAY Work for small company Multiple jobs Pay freezes/cuts Move for work or career Uncertain retirement Low-paying jobs in low-skill professions Cut-throat international competition for good jobs © 2011 David T. Conley

4. 4 TODAY’S STUDENTS NEED STRONG SKILLS TO ENTER TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE The United States is out of step with the rest of the world’s richest industrialized nations, growing faster but creating far fewer jobs. U.S. workers have become so productive that it’s harder for anyone without a job to get one. Companies are producing and profiting more than when the recession began, despite fewer workers. 7.5 million jobs lost since the recession began.* * Weisman, Paul. “U.S. productivity gains stifle job creation.” USA Today. April 4, 2011. © 2011 David T. Conley

5. About 1 in 3 students who enroll in either a four-year or two-year college will transfer at some point. 1 Anywhere from 65 to 85 percent of students will change their majors at least once. 2 Young adults change jobs an average of seven times from age 20 to 29. 3 The result is reduced lifetime income and diminished career development. the SWIRL of young adulthood SOURCES: 1 National Association for College Admission Counseling (2010). 2 ACT (2005). 3 US Department of Labor Statistics (2010). © 2011 David T. Conley

6. Today’s young people need to be adaptive, flexible learners. © 2011 David T. Conley

7. We’re entering a POLICY ENVIRONMENT focused on college and career readiness. + NCLB waivers demand college/career readiness standards. + ESEA reauthorization elevates college and career readiness. + Individual states are setting college/career ready goals. © 2011 David T. Conley

8. Different Types of Readiness WORK Ready Meets basic expectations regarding workplace behavior and demeanor JOB Ready Possesses specific knowledge necessary to begin an entry-level position CAREER Ready Possesses sufficient foundational knowledge and skill and general learning strategies necessary to begin studies in a career pathway COLLEGE Ready Is prepared in the four keys of college readiness necessary to succeed in entry-level general education courses © 2011 David T. Conley

9. College and career readiness can be defined as success ‒ without remediation ‒ in credit-bearing general education courses or a two-year certificate program. “Succeed” is defined as being able to progress successfully in the chosen program © 2011 David T. Conley

10. KEY PRINCIPLES  College readiness is not a cut score.  Current measures of readiness are insufficiently actionable or precise.  Readiness is best captured in a profile that shows how student interests and skills align with specific postsecondary programs.  Success in postsecondary educational settings is a function of readiness across multiple dimensions. © 2011 David T. Conley

11. FOUR KEYS TO COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS Key Content Knowledge Key Cognitive Strategies Key Learning Skills & Techniques Key Transition Knowledge & Skills + Structure of knowledge + Key terms and terminology + Factual information + Linking ideas + Organizing concepts + Challenge level + Value + Attribution + Effort + Ownership of learning + Goal setting + Persistence + Self-awareness + Motivation + Help seeking + Progress monitoring + Self-efficacy + Learning techniques + Time management + Test taking skills + Note taking skills + Memorization/recall + Strategic reading + Collaborative learning + Technology proficiency + Postsecondary awareness + Aspirations + Norms/culture + Postsecondary costs + Tuition + Financial aid + Matriculation + Eligibility + Admissions + Program + Career awareness + Requirements + Readiness + Role and identity + Role models + Self-advocacy + Problem formulation + Hypothesize + Strategize + Research + Identify + Collect + Interpretation + Analyze + Evaluate + Communication + Organize + Construct + Precision & accuracy + Monitor + Confirm © 2011 David T. Conley

12. For more information, visit www.epiconline.org © 2011 David T. Conley