Resource roundup: Indicators of college and career readiness
To meet requirements in the Every Student Succeeds Act, a growing number of states and districts are using measures such as high school grade point average (GPA) and attendance to monitor students' progress and postsecondary readiness. To help educators learn from these efforts, we rounded up research and resources on indicators of college and career readiness from across the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) network. Knowing which indicators have strong predictive accuracy can help educators identify students who are on track for success as well as those who may need more support.
Identifying Indicators That Predict Postsecondary Readiness and
Success in Arkansas
This REL Southwest study examined the
predictive strength of middle and high school indicators that the
Arkansas Department of Education is using to track students’
college and career readiness. The strongest predictors in middle
school were demonstrating proficiency in English language arts and
math and not being chronically absent or expelled. The strongest
high school predictors were attaining a GPA of 2.8 or higher
and enrolling in at least one advanced course. A
companion blog post
explores the findings and their implications. In addition, a
related webinar
examines discipline-related indicators that emerged during the
study as major predictors of college enrollment and persistence
outcomes.
Examining Student Group Differences in Arkansas Indicators of
Postsecondary Readiness and Success
At the request of the Arkansas Department of
Education, REL Southwest is building on the above
study by examining differences in college and career readiness
indicators for specific student groups. These supplemental
findings will help Arkansas education leaders focus on indicators
that serve all students well and minimize generalizations in the
use of indicators that could inequitably affect students. A report
of the findings is slated for publication in 2022.
Alternative Career Readiness Measures for Small and Rural
Districts in Texas
This
REL Southwest study examined whether Texas
graduates from small districts and rural districts demonstrated
career readiness through five alternative career readiness options
identified by the Texas Education Agency. A
companion blog post
highlights the key findings. The study found that students who met
one of two alternative options—career and technical
education completers and work-based learners—had higher
rates of college enrollment than students who met the
state’s college, career, and military accountability
standards.
Associations Between Predictive Indicators and Postsecondary
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Success Among
Hispanic Students in Texas
Hispanics remain underrepresented in the in-demand and high-paying
fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This
REL Southwest study identified indicators
that predict whether Hispanic and non-Hispanic high school
students in Texas went on to pursue or earn a postsecondary STEM
degree. Predictors included number of math or science courses
taken, number of Advanced Placement (AP) math or science courses
taken, and highest math or science course taken.
The Growing Importance of College and Career Readiness
Indicators
In this blog post, REL Central describes
the value of including college and career readiness indicators in
district and school accountability systems and how a growing
number of state education agencies are redesigning their systems
to do so.
The Effects of Accelerated College Credit Programs on
Educational Attainment in Rhode Island
This
REL Northeast & Islands quasi-experimental
study examined participation in accelerated college credit
programs—dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, and AP
test-taking—in Rhode Island high schools to understand the
effect on the rate of high school completion and postsecondary
outcomes. Students who participated in accelerated college credit
programs were more likely to graduate from high school and enroll
in college within a year than nonparticipating students.
How Well Does High School Grade Point Average Predict College
Performance by Student Urbanicity and Timing of College
Entry?
This REL Northwest study builds on a
prior study that found that high school GPA was a better predictor
of college course grades than college placement test scores for
recent high school graduates in Alaska. This follow-up study
examined how well high school GPA and standardized exam scores
predicted college course grades by the urbanicity of
students’ hometown and the timing of students’ college
entry. A
companion animated video
explores the implications of the findings.
Using High School Data to Predict Early College Success in
Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
This REL Pacific study used existing high
school data to identify student characteristics and aspects of
students' high school preparation that predicted early college
success and college persistence among students in Pohnpei. Similar
REL Pacific studies identified predictors of college readiness and
early college success among students in
Guåhan (Guam), the
Marshall Islands, and
Palau.
Examining the Associations Between High School Students'
Social-Emotional Competencies and Their High School and College
Academic and Behavioral Outcomes in the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands
This REL Pacific study examined the
relationships between Northern Mariana Islands students’
high school academic preparation, high school academic
achievement, intrapersonal competencies, and early college
success. High school students with higher growth mindset or
self-efficacy scores had higher high school GPAs and higher grade
10 ACT Aspire math and reading scale scores.
For more information on our work supporting college and career readiness and other projects of the Southwest College and Career Readiness Research Partnership, browse the following resources:
- Training series: Understanding the Alignment of Arkansas College and Career Readiness Indicators With the Employability Skills Framework
- Report: College Enrollment and Completion Among Texas High School Graduates With a Disability
- Webinar: Supporting College Enrollment and Completion for Students With Disabilities
- Report: Examining High School Career and Technical Education Programs and the Postsecondary Outcomes of Career and Technical Education Students in the Round Rock Independent School District
- Video: Partnering to Examine Career and Technical Education Outcomes in Round Rock, Texas
- Training series: Using Logic Modeling for Statewide School Improvement Efforts Training