SHEEO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

1. SHEEO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE Concurrent Session College Readiness: Current Initiatives, Future Consequences Michael Cohen, Achieve Ann Coles, The Education Resources Institute (TERI) Brian McGill, Utah System of Higher Education, UTAH Mentor Patricia Plummer, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education

2. Key Questions • What do we mean by college readiness? • How college-ready are today’s students? • What state-level readiness initiatives are underway and how are they funded? • How are college readiness results being measured? • How can states best learn from each other?

3. Working Definitions • How do we define “college?” Four-year, two-year degree programs High skill, post high school certificate programs • How do we define “college readiness?” Yesterday: prerequisite courses/Carnegie units, SAT/ACT scores Today: knowledge, skills and competencies to succeed in regular first year college courses without needing remediation

4. State Policy Strategies for Increasing College Readiness • Upgrading public four-year college admissions requirements (courses, test scores, GPA) • Changing instruction to focus on high level content & skills • Aligning high school graduation standards with postsecondary expectations • Providing students with financial incentives for meeting college readiness standards

5. Comprehensive Definition of College Readiness Four facets • Habits of Mind • Key Content • Academic Behaviors • Contextual Skills & Awareness Developed by EPIC (Educational Policy Improvement Center) for the Gates Foundation

6. ADP Network launched at 2005 Summit: 13 original states committed to raising achievement

7. ADP Network today: 30 states now committed to raising achievement

8. A growing number of states have policies that help prepare H.S. graduates for college and work

9. Massachusetts push for college and career readiness Patricia Plummer Massachusetts Board of Higher Education August 15, 2007

10. Massachusetts Higher Education • Public system comprised of 5 University campuses, 9 state colleges, 15 community colleges • MA is also home to 140 independent postsecondary institutions • Unlike most states, more total students educated in the independent sector than in the public sector

11. The Massachusetts Context • Massachusetts slow to develop P16 initiatives • Separate governance structures for early ed, K12, higher ed. • Evolving collaborations led by national and local policy leaders, public and private • The landscape is changing • New Governor elected in 2006 • Readiness Initiative • MA shares national challenges – look at data

12. By 2010, new jobs will require more education Degree level required for new jobs Source: Carnevale, Anthony P. and Donna M. Desrochers, Standards for What? The Economic Roots of K–16 Reform, Educational Testing Service, 2003.

13. Too few high school students ready for college Source: Manhattan Institute, Public High School Graduation and College-Readiness Rates: 1991–2002, February 2005, http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ewp_08.htm

14. College-bound does not mean college-ready Percentage of U.S. college freshmen requiring remedial help Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Remedial Education at Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions in Fall 2000, 2003.

15. Moving toward college readiness • Pathways to College – 1990s on • American Diploma Project (ADP) – MA an early adopter in 2002 • In 2005, Massachusetts was named one of 10 Honor States by the National Governor’s Association. Awarded $2 million grant over two years to improve high school graduation rates and increase college and career readiness. • Received $150,000 from Nellie Mae Education Foundation for School-to-College linked database and reports • Recently named lead policy team for Achieving the Dreamin Massachusetts. • Working with Jobs for the Future on “Double the Numbers” initiative

16. Progress to date: • Developing a recommended high school curriculum aimed at better preparing more students for college • Working to better align high school curriculum in grades 11 and 12 with college entrance requirements • Built P-16 “School to College” database which will allow us to track performance of students from pre-school through college • Creating “School to College” reports for schools to help monitor student performance and success, intervene where necessary • Working to create optional Algebra II exam to determine college readiness

17. Progress to date (continued): • Advocating for $2 million restore dual enrollment statewide. • Developed “Think Again” ad campaign • Efforts underway to develop College & Career Readiness Web Portal for all Massachusetts students • Governor Patrick’s 10-year Readiness Initiative • “Cradle to career” strategic plan for education, including Dual Enrollment, early assessment, free community college, closing the achievement gap • MA Board of Higher Education work has informed this process, at the table going forward

18. “Think Again” campaign • Launched earlier this year • Ads ask: “Think college isn’t for you? Think again.” • Goal: Increase college-going rates, especially for under-represented students • Campaign elements: TV, cinema, radio and transit ads, all driving viewers to ReadySetGotoCollege.com • Website is now purely informational; goal is to evolve into Massachusetts college and career readiness web portal

19. Poster/postcard Posters distributed to 5,000 public high schools across the state

20. Transit Ad Transit ad running on buses in major urban areas across the state

21. Utah“College Access, Preparation & Readiness”Brian P. McGill,Manager of School, Student & Outreach ServicesUtah System of Higher EducationUtah Higher Education Assistance AuthoritySHEEO – Boston, MA - 2007 “Building a Stronger State of Minds”

22. Utah System of Higher Education • Four Year Colleges and Universities • 6 Public, Non-Profit • Two Year Community Colleges • 3 Public, Non-Profit • Colleges of Applied Technology • 9 Public, Non-Profit • Private Colleges and Universities • 2 Non-Profit • Private Two Year College • 1 Non-Profit _________________________________________________________________ • 21 Total campuses with academic articulation agreements

23. Our Mission … to inform, educate, guide, and assist all students and parents with making informed decisions about preparing,participating,completing,andpaying for Higher Education in Utah, with a priority and emphasis in serving low-income, first generational, and ethnic minority students. • College Outreach Prepare Participate Complete Pay

24. College Readiness • Readiness = Access to Information in Early Grades - Counseling, Advisement, Marketing, Web, Literature Academic Rigorous Curriculum - State Scholars, AP, Concurrent, IB - Early College High Schools (6) Aspirationto Succeed - Intrinsic Motivation - Extrinsic Motivation Affordability - UESP - Savings, Family, Grants (Federal & State), Scholarship/s, Work Study, Student Loans Accountability - Self - Educational System - Policy Makers

25. Access to Information & Planning Utilities www.utahmentor.org

26. Portfolio – My eBackPack

27. UtahMentor Student Usage 130,000 student accounts 2 Million Hits a month 35,000 sessions a month State Wide Counselor Training

28. Admissions Applications Over 25,000 applications processed

29. Student Sessions by Year 400,000 in 2007

30. Testimonials “I scored a 33 on the ACT thanks to UtahMentor.” - Amy S., Itineris HS, Jordan District “UtahMentor is exactly what our program needs.” - Nelda K., Dixie State College, ETS Director “We’re interested in using UtahMentor’s SEOP district wide at both the middle and high school.” - Pam J., Counseling Guidance Director, Davis District “I wish I would have had something like this when I was in school!” - Utah Parents

31. Early Awareness40,000 brochure requests annually UESP – Saving for College Explore, Plan, Prepare, Apply, and Pay for College Financial Literacy Publications Student Groups

32. College & Financial Aid Nights National News Washington County

33. 8th Grade Campaigns“Achieve to Succeed” & “Are You Ready?” 2007-2008 UESP (529 Savings Plan) AP, Concurrent, IB ACG/SMART Grants New Century Scholarship Utah Scholars Initiative

34. High School to College Guide Book UtahCouncil Secondary to Post-Secondary Relations Fall High School Tour Every Senior Receives

35. Middle & High School Posters

36. Academics - Utah Scholars Initiative • WICHE Funded Grant, 2006 • 2 Year Program Implementation • Academic Rigorous Curriculum • 4 Years English • 4 Years Math • 3.5 Years Social Studies • 3 Years Lab Science • 2 Years Foreign Language • 4 School Districts (Pilot) • Student / Parent Contracts • Business / Community Participation • Rewards: • Recognition Banquet • ACG Eligibility • New Century Scholarship • Scholarships • Regents Diploma / Graduation Cord / Scholarships – Under Discussion www.utahscholars.org

37. Academics • # 1 Predictor of College Success • More likely to enroll, persist, complete • Alleviates need for remediation • Student Educational Occupational Plan • Mandated by State Legislature • Counselors administer • Individual Student: Career, College, & Academic Plan • Financial Plan needs to be added • Assess: Interests, Abilities, Aptitudes, Skills, Abilities, Personality, Values, and Strengths, and align with course scheduling and post-secondary plans. • Annual conference with student and parent • Next step planning • Goal setting and annual evaluation • Articulate career and educational pathways

38. College Planning Curriculum Counselors, Financial Literacy, Adult Roles

39. Online SEOPGrades 8 - 12 Includes Resume Builder

40. SEOPGrade 11 Utah’s Student Educational Occupational Plan

41. College Aspirations • Students must keep “Eyes on the Prize” • Intrinsic Motivational Component: • Connect career interests to educational pathways • Encourages completion of long-term goal (persistence) • Seeking knowledge, education, better opportunities • Performance today (GPA, test scores, courses) determines future • Encourage paths that support students’ interests and strengths • Students to students: “It’s realistic and attainable” • If you have the will, you’ll find a way • Extrinsic Motivational Component: • Job Seeking Opportunities • Salary, self-sustaining adult • Opportunity for advanced degrees

42. Affordability – What are my financial options? #1 Reason why students drop out of college • National Training 4 Counselors Initiative - ED, NASFAA, & NCHELP

43. Scholarship Search10,700 Scholarships, over $7 Billion in Awards Assistance

44. Ethnic Minority Scholarships • African-American Students • United Negro College Fund • Historical Black Colleges & Universities • Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund • Hispanic Students • Scholarships for Hispanics • Hispanic College Fund Institute • Native American Students • Utah Navajo Trust Fund • American Indian College Fund • Tribal Colleges • American Indian & Alaskan Native Employee Association • Association of American Indian Affairs • Asian-American Students • Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

45. FAFSA Profile Transfer

46. Accountability – Who is Responsible and How do we Measure Progress? • Self • Educational System (K-16) • Student Tracker (Enrollment, Retention, Completion, Individual) • Disaggregating data • Policy Makers • Public and Higher Education Administrators • Parents • Teachers • Counselors • Local Community • Religious Community • Business & Industry

47. Campus Access Programs • GEAR UP -Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs • $9.6 Million State Grant • 16 high schools, 28 junior highs, & 4 colleges • Grades 7-12 • Academics, Access, Tutoring, Counseling, Scholarships • Jack Kent Cooke Foundation – • $1 million grant • 8 high schools • 1 University • TRIO Programs -Educational opportunity for low-income and disabled students and funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

48. Workforce Educational Economic Development Alliance Utah System of Higher Education Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority Utah State Office of Education Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Adult Education Workforce Services K-16 Alliance

49. Education = Income = Tax Base & Educated SocietyMedian Income by Education Level Institute for Higher Education Policy (2005): The Investment Payoff, Appendix 1

50. Initiatives to IncreasePreparation K-16 Alliance Public and Higher Education Collaboration Committees: Access, Academics, Guidance, Minorities, Teacher Education, Career Pathways Minority Task Force Advanced Placement Incentive Program Minority State Education Curriculum Plan Utah Scholars Initiative Rigorous Academic Standards Incentive Based Program UESP Utah’s College 529 Plan UtahMentor.org Academic and Financial Aid Planning Student Educational Occupational Plan College Admissions/Applications Scholarships / FAFSA New Century Scholarship 75% Tuition based scholarship incentive for completion of Associate’s Degree by graduation Concurrent Enrollment / Advanced Placement College level classes offered in high school Increased mentoring/counseling for students GEARUP, TRIO, ETS, Upward Bound, Jack Kent Cooke Lowering Counselor - Student Ratios