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

What is College Ready?

First time freshmen are expected to meet the varied college ready expectations of general education coursework across the campus. In addition to college mathematics and freshman composition, courses in the sciences, social sciences, and related disciplines require skills in reading informational text, expository writing, and research. Entry into technical programs in the field of health, information technologies, and some industry certification programs expect students to have a baseline proficiency at the level of college algebra or higher. General education programs leading to mathematics and science intensive majors in fields such as business and engineering typically require incoming students to have mastered higher level mathematics and English/communication skills prior to college admission. Adult learners returning to higher education face similar expectations without the benefit of recent academic study.

A critical step in engaging in standards alignment is defining what students should know and be able to do upon high school graduation that will prepare them to be successful in credit-bearing courses as first-year college students in postsecondary education. A number of organizations including Achieve, ACT and the College Board have worked extensively with K-12, postsecondary and business community leadership to to identify the “must have” competencies in English language arts and mathematics for success in college and certificate granting courses. Many states have also made gains in developing assessments and graduation requirements that reflect these college-ready standards.

Achieve has also developed a one-page document, "What is College- and Career-Ready," that offers a clear definition of college readiness and how it relates to career readiness; click here to download a copy.

Higher education leaders can and must take the lead in developing and advocating for college ready standards for all students in their state. In this chapter you will find: