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

Resource for Provosts and Deans

As a college administrator your leadership is critical in the movement toward helping to prepare all students for success in college. Use the links below to learn what role you can play in these efforts. Start by learning why and how higher education leaders must engage with K-12 to encourage college readiness. Also learn who else to get involved and how to develop outreach strategies for your campus or system based on best practices in other states.

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.

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

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.

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.