The Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) Endorsed Diploma

1. ACT 2011 Annual Conference Telling a Compelling Story: Engaging Facts and Figures The Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) Endorsed Diploma A Mastery Minded Approach Emmy Glancy, Department of Higher Education and Tamara White Johnson, Department of Higher Education

2. Agenda • What is the PWR Endorsed Diploma? • Goals • Background and Criteria • Benefits to: students, schools and districts, and higher ed. • Pilot Plan and Statewide Implementation

3. Mission of the Department of Higher Education • By coordinating policy and state resources for the state's 28 public institutions as well as several hundred proprietary schools and overseeing two key loan programs, the Department seeks to ensure that higher education is accessible and affordable to all Coloradoans. The Department helps bring cultural and artistic education opportunities to citizens in each of Colorado's 64 counties.

4. Role of the Department of Higher Education • Departmental divisions: • Colorado Commission on Higher Education • College Assist (formerly College Access Network) • CollegeInColorado.org • CollegeInvest • Colorado Historical Society • Colorado GEAR UP • Division of Private Occupational Schools (DPOS)

5. Colorado’s Graduation and College Enrollment Rates

6. 178 school districts have 178 graduation requirements, and schools want to see their student’s graduate with a diploma that has more meaning. • Districts may choose to offer the PWR endorsed diploma option permitting students automatic admission into moderately selective Colorado colleges based on mastery in a few subjects without the need for remediation. • By May 2013, the State Board of Education will adopt graduation guidelines which all districts will need to meet or exceed.

7. Policy Overview • Process for building criteria: State survey, national research, P-20 Task Force, expert presentations • Public vetting and input: business, admissions, counselors, CASE/CASB • 100% approval from all governing boards of higher education • Piloting in APS and RE-1: inform statewide implementation and technical assistance • Spring 2013 State Board of Ed. and Commission on Higher Education will jointly adopt criteria • Districts may choose to offer to graduating students • Informing graduation guidelines and admissions policy developments

8. Defining Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) • 2008-2009 - The two departments jointly convened 13 regional meetings – with over 1,000 P-12, higher education representatives and other stakeholders • Business and Workforce involvement • THREE ASPECTS: Academic Preparation, Skills/Behaviors, and Planning

9. Goals • Target students who may not have otherwise considered postsecondary options • Communication: help create a clear pathway for students to college or career • Increase number of students graduating from high school without the need for remediation • Open the door to higher education for more students over time • Reward and motivate a high school student by granting not only a high school diploma but also admission into Colorado colleges • Increase higher ed. timely completion of degrees

10. Purpose of the Endorsed Diploma • Reward high school graduates for excellence by guaranteeing that the student: • Meets minimum academic qualifications for admission to all open, modified open or moderately selective public institutions of higher education in Colorado; and, • Receives priority consideration for admissions into Colorado’s selective and highly selective institutions.

11. Colleges and Universities Levels of Selectivity

12. Benefits for Students • Student knows they will be both graduating from high school and admitted into a college in Colorado • Student knows she does not need remediation and will be placed into first-year credit-bearing courses • Clear pathway to college in Colorado • Benefits of exploring three content areas deeply • Help make a high school student’s assessments, classes, activities, and planning more meaningful.

13. Benefits for Districts • Increase graduation rates and decrease drop-out rates • Decrease remediation rates • Enhances other high school completion initiatives • Inform counselors and high school administrators advising students about postsecondary options • Increase pathways to graduation

14. Benefits for Colleges and Universities • Signals that students are prepared for first-year credit-bearing courses (remediation-free) • Streamlines admissions and placement decisions • An increase in college-ready students will help meet school-level completion goals • Identify students who will not require remediation and, perhaps even more importantly, the students who possess the 21st century life skills essential to their success in college

15. Endorsed Diploma Criteria Step 1. Student demonstrates that he or she is college ready in math and English language arts Step 2. Student completes ICAP Step 3. Student demonstrates application of 21st century skills Step 4. Student demonstrates mastery of academic content in three content areas

16. Step 1: Student is College Ready in Math and English Language Arts

17. Step 2: Student Completes Key Components of an ICAP • Career Plan and Goals • Work Experience • Academic Progress • College Exploration and Applications • Progress in Financial Literacy and College Finances

18. Step 3: Student Applies 21st Century Skills On academic coursework, state assessment scores, or achievements: Critical Thinking Information Literacy Collaboration Self Direction Invention By excelling in at least one of the following extra-curricular activities: School Activities Business or Employment Volunteer Activities AND…

19. Step 4: Student Demonstrates Excellence of Academic Content in 3 Content Areas • 1) Reading, Writing, and Communicating * • 2) Mathematics * • 3) Social and Behavioral Sciences • 4) Natural and Physical Sciences • 5) Arts and Humanities • 6) World Languages • 7) Career and Technical Education * 4 years of study required

20. Step 4: Student Demonstrates Excellence of Academic Content in 3 Content Areas • Three ways: • Courses (Carnegie Units) • Performance Indicator (e.g. standardized assessments, AP, CLEP, artifacts/body of evidence, CTE certifications) • Successfully complete a college-level course

21. Example: Demonstrate Excellence in Reading, Writing, & Communicating High school course taking • Receive a course grade of B or better in at least four years of Reading, Writing, and Communicating courses • At least one course must be taken during the student’s 12th grade Performance indicators OR Successful Postsecondary coursework AND

22. Example: Demonstrate Excellence in Arts and Humanities High school course taking • Receive a course grade of B or better in at least three years of coursework in a single area of focus Performance indicators • AP Art, external events or performances Successful Postsecondary coursework OR OR

23. Implementation Timeline

24. Survey Results: Colorado Landscape

25. Pilot Process • Purpose: inform statewide implementation • Who: Aurora Public Schools, RE-1 Valley, maybe others • Work group and technical assistance • Data collection and research: student outcomes, technology and staff needs, and how implementation can occur in both rural and urban settings • What to expect: • Pilot report and communication

26. Questions and Feedback

27. Contact Info. • Colorado Department of Higher Education • Emmy Glancy • Emmy.glancy@dhe.state.co.us • 303-866-4030 • Tamara White Johnson • Tamara.johnson@dhe.state.co.us • 303-866-4030