"A common vision of a well-integrated educational system extending from birth through postsecondary education is essential." (SHEEO, 2003)

Enhanced Teaching and Learning

Increasing student preparation for college requires not only that K-12 standards and assessments be aligned with college expectations but that teachers be trained to help students meet this level of rigor.  In addition to improving teacher education programs, postsecondary leaders across the nation are pursuing various initiatives to support students once they are enrolled.  Many of these efforts focus on increasing student retention beyond the first year and improving students’ completion of their program or degree in a timely manner. Read more about some of these strategies.
 
  • The Georgia Partnership for Reform in Science and Mathematics (PRISM) is an initiative of the University System of Georgia designed to increase science and mathematics achievement for all P-12 students in order to improve their readiness for post-secondary education and careers by enhancing teacher quality, raising expectations for all stakeholders, and closing achievement gaps.  PRISM is working actively in four diverse regions of the state (Metropolitan Atlanta, Northeast Georgia, East Central Georgia and Southeast Georgia) with partners at the university and P-12 level in each region to (1) Provide challenging science and mathematics curricula for all students (2) Raise public awareness of the need for all students to complete challenging curricula (3) Increase and sustain the number, quality and diversity of preK-12 teachers of science and mathematics, and (4) Increase the responsiveness of higher education to the needs of K-12 schools.
  • The Double the Numbers Plan, launched by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, outlines five statewide strategies for Kentucky to double the number of bachelor's degree holders in the state by 2020. This plan requires system-wide improvements such as strengthening guidance and support for students at every stage of their academic careers in order to improve retention and degree completion. Increasing bachelor’s degrees is the quickest, most direct way for Kentucky to increase its economic prosperity.
  • In order to improve student learning in postsecondary classrooms, campuses are launching a variety of initiatives focused on course redesign and improving classroom instruction. The National Center for Academic Transformation (NCAT) works through a four-stage iterative process to advance the use of information technology in improving student learning and reducing instructional costs.