November 13, 2007Superintendents’ Meeting

Students are graduating from high school and are not college ready: 2006: 40% meet TSI of 2200 in English/LA 2006: 51% meet TSI of 2200 in mathematics

THECB is not meeting Closing the Gaps goals in participation and success

Student participation has flattened in terms of numbers, while demographics are increasing—50,000 students behind in 2006

63% of students who start college do not complete their programs

3rd Called Session, 79th Legislature aggressively addressed these issues and expanded scope of THECB and TEA with several initiatives:

Passed House Bill 1 (HB1) P-16 High School Completion and Success Strategic Plan

Education Research Centers

College Readiness Standards (CRS) and Vertical Teams

Summer Bridge Programs

Developmental Education Innovations

Professional Development (THECB only)

Course Redesign (THECB only)

Role expanded during 80th Legislature

Collaboration on End-of-Course Tests

Creation of new high school courses for math and science

Grant opportunities: Math, Science, and Technology Teaching Academies Intensive Summer Programs Middle School Reading Academies Others

Created 16 P-16 Field Specialists who work in outreach units of institutions of higher education to:

Support local efforts to increase HS and postsecondary collaboratives

Support creation of GO Centers

Supported development of P-16 Regional Councils (Local is E-3 Alliance)

Developed new RFPs:Course redesignSummer bridge programsCollege Connection Statewide ExpansionEducation Research Centers

Focused on increasing college readiness, participation, and success

With TEA, created Vertical Teams to develop College Readiness Standards (CRS)

With few exceptions,it emphasizes partnerships

between secondary and postsecondary education

to address problems

Time to develop:Partnership as well as the RFP/contractsRecognition of various viewpoints and

responsibilitiesNecessity of building institutional support of

ALL partners

Administration/Faculty understanding of the global picture

All public institutions and 13 independent institutions have designated a P-16 Special Advisor to the THECB

Dr. Mary Hensley (and Gary Madsen) represent ACC

Provide assistance in obtaining information about entry-level courses at postsecondary institutions

Attend up to two meetings per year with THECB staff

Coordinate and report on activities that assure students in its service area/region are college-ready when entering postsecondary institutions

Coordinate meetings of faculty on the College Readiness Standards (CRS) and other THECB initiatives

Provide feedback on forms and assessments provided by THECB or its contractor

Texas College Readiness Project

Successfully responded to RFP to partner with THECB on the Texas College Readiness Project

Founded by Dr. David Conley, CEO, leading college readiness expert and author of “College Knowledge”

Nationally recognized experts on the high school-college transition and college readiness standards

Definition of College Readiness Capable of succeeding in an entry-level, general

education, credit-bearing “reference” course

Able to perform at a level in the course sufficient to progress to another course in the subject and

To transfer knowledge learned in the course to a course in another subject area when necessary

High School Standards: Define the basic requirements for all students

Have an end point—high school graduation—as their reference point

Tend to focus on content knowledge

Are often the basis for state testing or accountability requirements

College Readiness Standards (CRS): Are for students with postsecondary aspirations

Have beginning point—general education college courses—as their reference point

Tend to focus on both content knowledge and key cognitive strategies

Have not been used to specify state high school testing or accountability systems

Help high schools establish challenge level and content necessary for college readiness

Designed to align HS and college courses

Create a more rigorous senior year

Help institutions of higher education increase course consistency

Develop better college-placement criteria

Three-Part Process:

Phase 1: Standards Development

Phase 2: Standards Validation

Phase 3: Materials Development

Standards development process mandated by HB 1

Required Vertical Teams (VT) composed of public and higher education faculty be created in four content areas: English/language arts Mathematics Science Social studies

Convergent Consensus Process: VTs reviewed national and state standards Four VT meetings Online “homework” between each meeting Consultations with VT co-chairs throughout the process

Specificity increases at each subordinate level

Example: Mathematics

Example: English

After College Readiness Standards (CRS) are adopted by THECB:

EPIC conducts research on what actually is being taught and expected in entry-level courses at Texas institutions of higher education and compares this to the CRS

Results are compared to the CRS and discrepancy analysis is conducted to identify any gaps or recommend modifications to the CRS

Research identifies “reference courses” that serve to define the assumed content covered and level of rigor in college courses in each subject area

An entry-level postsecondary course that best reflects the CRS

Only entry-level courses Those typically taken in the freshman or (more

rarely) the sophomore year that meet general education requirements and often serve as the initial prerequisite course for other courses within that subject area

Texas educators (K-12 and postsecondary) create materials aligned with College Readiness Standards

Work samples demonstrating expectations present in college courses

Course-based strategies for high schools Ex., Senior seminars

Project templates for use in HS Scoring guides referenced to College Readiness Standards

Formative assessments that provide diagnostic info on college readiness to teachers and students

CRS Development Timeline in folder

For more information, contact:

Dr. Mary Hensley Gary Madsenmhensley@austincc.edu gmadsen@austincc.edu512-223-7618 512-223-7087

www.austincc.edu/isd/Superintendent/111307P16Presentation.ppt