Using the College Readiness Standards Mississippi College Readiness Summit March 4, 2009 Lynn J. House, Ph.D. Assistant Commissioner Academic and Student Affairs Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning

3 Agenda Welcome/Introductions Overview of College Readiness Initiative Importance of College Readiness Review of Standards in English and Mathematics Alignment with MS Curriculum Frameworks Next Steps

4 Overview of College Readiness Initiative IHL staff began dialogue with the American Diploma Project (ADP) staff in January, With assistance and information from ADP, ACT, MDE, & SREB, the College Readiness Committee was established with members from IHL universities. Several months were spent on developing standards for English and mathematics with input from CJCs, MDE, and high school teachers.

5 Importance of College (and work place) Readiness All students deserve to be ready for college on leaving high school. Many students with high GPAs do not have adequate reading, writing, thinking, and computing skills to be successful in entry-level, credit-bearing college courses. The rigor of high school courses and their alignment with college expectations are critical factors in success during post secondary education. College readiness knowledge and skills transcend the college environment.

6 Review of Standards English/Language Arts Standards –Overview –Insufficient Competencies –Assessment Recommendations –Standards Reading Writing Research Critical Thinking Vocabulary Grammar and Mechanics

7 Review of Standards Mathematics Standards –Basic Skills –Number Sense & Numerical Operations –Algebra –Geometry –Data Interpretation, Statistics, & Probablilty –Mathematical Reasoning

8 ALIGNMENT ACTIVITY English Match of Standards with Curriculum Frameworks English: Tenth Grade MS Language Arts 1.Review the CF section on DRAFTING - pg Turn to the WRITING section of the CR standards and review the section on COMPOSING. 3.Can you see alignment? Are there problems of clarity? What might be confusing for high school English teachers? How can the alignment of these two documents be improved? 4.Discuss your responses to the questions with your team. 5.Be prepared to share your thoughts with the large group.

9 ALIGNMENT ACTIVITY Mathematics Match of Standards with Curriculum Frameworks Mathematics: Algebra 1 1.Review the CF section on ALGEBRA - pg Turn to the ALGEBRA section of the CR standards and review essential competencies. 3.Can you see alignment? Are there problems of clarity? What might be confusing for high school Algebra I teachers? How can the alignment of these two documents be improved? 4.Discuss your responses to the questions with your team. 5.Be prepared to share your thoughts with the large group.

10 Draft Mathematics Assessment Developed by: – Dr. Tristan Denley, Mathematics Chair University of Mississippi – Dr. David Hebert, Mathematics Faculty Delta State University Three (3) forms Reviewed by College Readiness Math Task Force Pilot planned with Lafayette Co. High School

11 Next Steps Present information for high school teachers and counselors at conferences and other venues. Include College Readiness Standards in MS Curriculum Frameworks. Develop and implement statewide mathematics “bridge” course and writing boot camps. Improve linkage with faculty at IHLs, CJCs, and P-12 to discuss ways to enhance alignment.

12 Contact Information Dr. Susan P. Lee, Director of P-16 Initiatives Academic and Student Affairs MS Institutions of Higher Learning Dr. Lynn J. House, Assistant Commissioner Academic and Student Affairs MS Institutions of Higher Learning

13 QUESTIONS ?