College Readiness, Career Readiness

Different or Similar?

Your Definition

How do you definecollege readiness?career readiness?

What learning activities are provided to your students which reflect your definition or understanding of college and career readiness?

Definitions in the Literature

According to the Association for Career and Technical Education, the two terms are often used interchangeably.

Given the definitions you just shared, and ACTE’s above statement, should we use them interchangeably? Why or why not?

Definitions in the Literature, cont.

EPE Research Center 2009 found states vary in how they define college readiness, but most definitions are bound to the type of courses considered critical for success in postsecondary education.

- 20 states state stipulate the skills and knowledge students need to be college ready through courses, skills, standards and

tests.- 14 states include academic content standards in their definitions of college-readiness-13 states recommend or require college-preparatory courses- Fewer states use definitions that incorporate specific test courses

Definitions in the Literature, cont.

David Conley, Center for Educational Policy Research, divides the college readiness into four categories: key cognitive strategies, specific content knowledge and academic skills, attitudes and behaviors, and contextual knowledge of college culture.

Definition of Career Readiness

Is there an overlap or similarities with career readiness?

Again, going back to the Association for Career and Technical Education, they identified three major skill areas:-core academic skills-employability skills-technical, job-specific skills

Academic Skills

Academic skills – career-ready core and college-ready core courses are essentially the same, so there is some overlap.

All students need skills in math, English and the language arts, as well as technology skills.

Key difference here – to be career ready means more attention directed to math and writing, two skills often cited by employers as troublesome areas, even among those students considered “college-ready.”

Applying these academic skills to employer-related situations. This could include internships, service-learning –an activity experiential in nature.

Employability Skills

Our students need to hone their:-critical thinking skills-problem solving-oral and written communications-collaboration and teamwork-creativity-responsibility-professionalism and ethics-use of technology

The ACTE report noted employers place a great emphasis on critical thinking and adaptability.

Technical Skills

Students need to know some level of job-specific skills- there is on-the-job training, but some careers require having advance technical or industry-based skills in advance (e.g. health care fields)

Summary

-While there is some overlap in the academic skills required in college and career readiness, based on the ACTE report, there are differences between the two

- Career readiness integrates academics, technical, and employability skills

- Not all students can acquire these skills in the high schools, but we need to explore partnerships between secondary and postsecondary which will bridge together the career and college readiness for future academic and professional success.