The Colorado Paradox: Colorado’s Postsecondary Production Dilemma and Policy Strategies to Address It. Matt Gianneschi, Ph.D. Senior Policy Analyst for Education Office of Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.

The Colorado Promise (2006) Close achievement gaps in schools Double the number of degrees and certificates earned by Colorado students –39,918 in Cut the high school dropout rate in half –32 nd for high school graduation rate –Graduation rate overall: 75% –Graduation rate among Latino students: 57.1%

The Environment Is Complex Rapidly changing demographics Wide disparities in educational attainment, income, and access Ever-increasing demand for high-skilled employees Limited financial resources

Source: Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education

Source: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), Difference in Postsecondary Degree Attainment Between White Citizens and Next Largest Ethnic Group

National Center for Higher Education Management Systems Percentage of Population with a Postsecondary Degree That is Native Born.

Per Capita Personal Income 36,796 to 77,970 29,972 to 36,796 27,260 to 29,972 24,882 to 27,260 17,999 to 24,882 National Center for Higher Education Management Systems

Projected Change in Jobs Requiring Postsecondary Training

Recommit to increasing access Increase improve information Improve analytical capacity Increase expectations and improve preparation Ease transitions into and through the systems To Increase the Pool of College Qualified Students, Particularly Those from Low and Middle Income Families, States Must…

Access: Cost Containment and Improved Financial Assistance Positively influence student price responses by intentionally limiting tuition increases to 5% for low & middle income students And, dramatically increasing need-based financial aid and general fund support 2008 ballot initiative for need-based financial assistance (60% of revenues from proposed severance tax modification) Information: College and Career Planning Move more students’ attitudes to intentional behaviors by way of the Colorado Counselor Corps, a program that will place more than 70 new “college coach” style counselors in schools. Analysis: Improved Analytical Capacity Improve ability to determine efficacy of state-level initiatives by developing a cross-departmental data sharing protocol Increasing Postsecondary Participation and Success

Matt Gianneschi, Ph.D. Senior Education Policy Analyst Office of Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. (303) State Capitol Denver, CO Preparation: Assumptions of the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K): K-12 and higher education systems respond differently to various incentives and sanctions. To ensure the achievement of statewide, multi-sector objectives, there must be better cross- system coherence and coordination. Piecemeal policies will not address systemic problems, and that there are no simple solutions. To create meaningful change, each part of the system has to be empowered, vested, and accountable. Funding should follow form and performance (more for more). The result must be relevant to students, rigorous enough to satisfy postsecondary/workforce expectations, and meaningful/interpretable across sectors. Academic targets must be meaningful and tangible: Matriculation to college without remediation.

Matt Gianneschi, Ph.D. Senior Education Policy Analyst Office of Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. (303) State Capitol Denver, CO Postsecondary Credential School Readiness New Assessments (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies Postsecondary Readiness (New HS Default) PK 12 Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) School Readiness Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) Modifications To College Admission Policies Postsecondary Readiness (New HS Default) PK 12 PK 12 PK New Assessments (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) School Readiness Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) School Readiness Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) School Readiness Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) Postsecondary Readiness (New HS Default) School Readiness Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) Postsecondary Readiness (New HS Default) School Readiness Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) Postsecondary Readiness (New HS Default) School Readiness Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies New Assessments (Jointly Developed) Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) School Readiness Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted) School Readiness New Standards (Jointly Developed) New Assessments (Jointly Developed) New Standards (Jointly Developed) Modifications To College Admission Policies Postsecondary Readiness (New HS Default) Modifications To College Admission Policies Postsecondary Readiness (New HS Default) Modifications To College Admission Policies Postsecondary Readiness (Jointly Adopted)

Matt Gianneschi, Ph.D. Senior Education Policy Analyst Office of Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. (303) State Capitol Denver, CO Matt Gianneschi, Ph.D. Senior Policy Analyst for Education and Director, P-20 Education Coordinating Council Office of Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. 136 State Capitol Denver, Colorado (303)