Policy: State

The Condition of College & Career Readiness, 2012

This report provides information on student levels of college and career readiness across the United States based on their performance on the ACT. In addition to showing performance on ACT-related college and career readiness metrics and trends in performance over time, the report provides recommendations to states, districts, and schools to help increase college and career readiness.

Making Every Diploma Count: Using Extended-Year Graduation Rates to Measure Student Success

This updated brief provides background information on the extended-year graduation rate and discusses how use of this rate can support increased services for struggling or off-track students. In addition, the authors provide three recommendations for state policymakers as they work to create new accountability systems that document and reflect student success outside the traditional four-year graduation rate.

A Statewide Examination of College Access Services and Resources in Virginia

This study evaluates what types of services, programs and providers are needed in Virginia to increase student access to postsecondary education. This report highlights the resources available by examining statistics, maps, figure and case-narratives, areas where progress is being made and college access roadblocks encountered. A detailed illustration which includes technical information is also described.

Aligning High School Graduation Requirements with the Real World: A Road Map for States

This policy brief describes programs and initiatives from different states and districts that have been implemented to retain students, lower dropout rates, and help provide students with life skills to make them successful through and after high school. The authors start with a discussion of how to determine the parameters of graduation policy, i.e., identifying which courses students should be required to take and anchoring courses in standards that are aligned with college and career expectations.

Supporting High Quality Career and Technical Education Through Federal and State Policy

This paper illustrates the advantages of career and technical education in high schools in order to retain students and provide those students that are not college bound the skills needed to be successful after graduation. The authors provide recommendations on how federal resources can support a systemic approach to knowledge and skill development for all youth. These recommendations provide policymakers ideas on how federal and state policies can support a greater role for CTE in high school reform.

Improving Academic Preparation for College

This paper reviews research and makes the case for a definition of academic preparation that includes academic rigor, grades, and specific academic skills that students will need to be successful in a college level course. The authors assert that though it may be difficult to measure, it is important to consider all of these aspects in defining readiness and in helping students meet a threshold of it.

Coalition for a College and Career Ready America: Guiding Principles

This policy brief outlines the policy agenda of the Coalition for a College and Career Ready America. The authors note that the coalition supports: high standards with supports for students, providing states and districts with access to quality data and technical assistance, recognizing the role of charter schools and high-quality models, turning around all low-performing schools, and aligning state and federal initiatives with these principals.

State College- and Career-Ready High School Graduation Requirements Comparison Table

This fact sheet published by Achieve examines which states require students to complete a college and career ready high school curriculum. The document details specific graduation requirements set by each of these states, recent changes in requirements and other policy specifics, such as whether or not students can opt out of curriculum requirements and which future graduating classes will be impacted.

High School Career Academies: A 40-Year Proven Model for Improving College and Career Readiness

This resource from American Youth Policy Forum examines the impact that career academies have had over the past 40 years. The author discusses the need for action and the research that shows career academies improve educational and labor market outcomes. Additionally, the author suggests several policy issues that must be addressed in order for career academies to be expanded.

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