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

Resource for P-20 Council Members

As a P-20 council member, you are tasked with advocating for aligned initiatives throughout the entire educational continuum. Use the links below to help make the case for these efforts. Start by getting the facts on why P-20 alignment is important and who to involve. Read research on the expectations gap between high school and college and learn what states are doing to bridge the gap. Finally read examples, case studies and best practices from higher education leaders who have successfully aligned early outreach strategies, financial aid incentives and data tracking systems to ensure that more students are college-ready.

Case Studies and Testimonials

Read the following case studies for ideas and examples of best practices as you pursue postsecondary reforms in your state and on your campus.

Connection Champions

The development of students’ college readiness is the responsibility of many individuals working in collaboration from K-12 educators, to postsecondary faculty to members of the employer community. All of these “connection champions” have a stake in the success of students’ transition into entry-level credit-bearing coursework and quality jobs. Each brings a unique perspective to the alignment of expectations for students across the P-20 continuum.

Documenting P-20 Progress

While states are making progress on aligning K-12 expectations with those for entering postsecondary and the workplace, the majority of education across the nation face another major challenge - accounting for results. If alignment efforts are to be considered effective – state leaders should see longitudinal data that indicate improvements in student preparation, placement, retention, and timely completion of program or degree.

Early Outreach

Campus leaders are continually striving to create new outreach efforts or improve and expand existing efforts, such as dual enrollment in order to increase the numbers of better prepared students who are entering college and succeeding.

Higher Education's Role in Defining College Readiness

More and more states have started to work collaboratively with leaders in K-12 and postsecondary education, businesses, communities, and policymakers to align high school graduation standards with expectations for success in entry-level college coursework and quality jobs.

Incentives

The alignment of high school standards and assessments with college expectations alone will not ensure that high school students will be motivated to reach more rigorous levels of academic performance. Postsecondary leaders play a critical role in ensuring that policies are in place that link financial aid, college admissions and placement preferences to students who demonstrate college-readiness.

Making the Case

Only postsecondary education leaders and faculty can communicate what they expect entering students to know and what knowledge and skills will prepare students for success in college-level courses. Appropriately connecting students from high school graduation to postsecondary success requires higher education to be engaged and demonstrate leadership in K-12 efforts such as standards setting, curriculum development, determination of high school graduation requirements and selection (or development of) college-ready assessments.

Next Steps and Resources

Postsecondary education leaders’ and faculty members’ active involvement in the alignment process is a critical first step in helping to improve the percentage of American students prepared to enroll in college and persist in a timely manner. In many states, postsecondary leaders are participating in - and in some states leading - college readiness initiatives that span the education system from pre-school through college under the P-16 umbrella.

Webinar on Common Core Standards for Postsecondary

On Monday, May 3, the American Council on Education (ACE) and Achieve co-sponsored a webinar on the implications of the Common Core State Standards Initiative for colleges and universities. The initiative is a state-led effort managed by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Webinar on Common Core Standards for Postsecondary

On Monday, May 3, the American Council on Education (ACE) and Achieve co-sponsored a webinar on the implications of the Common Core State Standards Initiative for colleges and universities.