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Are your district and school sites prepared for the shifts in education around the corner? Better get ready for dramatic changes in how the public will evaluate schools and judge student success.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization, common core standards, California State University Early Start Program and the Higher Education Opportunity Act will result in far reaching changes for K-12 education. These new policy changes bring to center stage a new performance outcome; college-going rates without need for remediation. The underlying paradigm shift is that the role of K-12 education will go beyond credits earned and passage of CAHSEE for high school graduation to requiring students graduate high school prepared for college and careers. Defining student success is shifting from that of standards proficiency to preparedness for the next level of learning: college and career readiness.

To create a clear understanding of the evidence-based practices and high performing school culture essential for ensuring all students graduate high school prepared for postsecondary education and attainment of viable careers, InnovateED has written Closing the Gaps of College and Career Readiness. Four fundamental questions clarify the Keys to Success under this new paradigm for K-12 education:

1. Which student attributes define college and career readiness?
2. Which key components of a coherent instructional program lead to college and career readiness?
3. Which systematic support structures develop college and career ready students?
4. What defines a high performing school culture promoting college and career readiness?

Click here to read the report
 

A Call to Action

In moving forward the mission of college and career readiness for all students, InnovateED will be working with a select group of schools and districts to implement the Six Steps to Success. A three-phased approach will be used to meet the diverse needs of schools and districts; 1) complete a college and career readiness gap analysis, 2) prioritize action steps based upon gaps of current practices and readiness factors, and 3) implement evidence-based practices emphasizing leadership, coherent instructional program and systematic student support.

The Six Steps to Success are listed below.

1. Focus on College and Career Ready Student Attributes
2. Establish Clear Performance Outcomes of College and Career Readiness
3. Engage All Students in a Rigorous, College-aligned Course of Study
4. Formatively Assess Performance Indicators of College and Career Readiness
5. Ensure Early Identification and Systematic Support of At-Risk Students
6. Create a Culture of High Performance