The College and Career Readines and Success Center closed on September 30,2019 because the grant cycle for the U.S. Department of Education Comprehensive Centers ended. The information on this website will no longer be updated. Visit www.air.org for updates on college and career readiness.
This policy brief discusses the growing second-language learner population in schools. Through case studies of schools in Austin and the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas, it provides state and federal policymakers recommendations for policy changes that can help schools increase student achievement among this population.
This policy statement from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) provides reasons why the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) should be reauthorized. The authors include recommendations for ESEA reauthorization in the four core areas of reform: standards, assessments, and accountability; data and reporting; teachers and leaders; and supports for next-generation learning.
This study looks at reforms successfully sustained in four states – Texas, Indiana, Massachusetts, & South Carolina – to develop strategies and processes that can be implemented by others to achieve similar sustainability in their efforts of college- and career ready education reform. It discusses ten strategies used within these four states and summarizes the lessons learned from each.
This report from America's Promise Alliance discusses the nation's dropout rates during 2010-11 and what is being done to improve the situation. The report highlights that working collaboratively in local communities and across the nation can stem the dropout tide, meet national goals, and ensure the next generation of students are educated to meet the increasing demands of our society, economy, and democracy. It encourages states, districts, schools and communities to adopt the Civic Marshall Plan framework and benchmarks to organize and accelerate efforts.
This paper examines the the relationship between high school preparation, college choice and postsecondary outcomes for Chicago Public School (CPS) students in an effort to improve educational attainment.
This study examined survey data of potentially eligible scholarship recipients to determine the effects a state-level merit-based financial aid program had on college access for underrepresented students. Findings showed that African American and low-income students' decisions to apply for college are likely to be impacted by their eligibility for scholarships.
This issue brief from the NGA Center for Best Practices discusses dropout recovery. The author examines the effects of dropout and provides recommendations that include using data to identify dropouts and providing flexible recovery options for dropouts.
This report, sponsored by Digital Learning Now, identifies 72 measures that state policy makers should incorporate into their state policy in order to facilitate high quality digital learning for all students. The authors stress the importance of providing all students access to digital forms of learning, including virtual and blended learning, using digital learning to provide personalized learning trajectories, and providing quality content, instruction and choices through digital learning.
This report discusses barriers to high school graduation rates and college readiness for Latinas. The author examines the challenges facing Latinos to achieve a high school degree and continuing on to higher education. The resource provides recommendations for federal, state, and local policy makers including additional funding, providing mentors, and ensuring that the school environment is culturally inclusive.
