College Readiness Lynne Miller

College Readiness Disconnects High school diploma requirements High school diploma requirements College admission requirements vs. 100 level courses College admission requirements vs. 100 level courses Lack of preparedness among high school seniors Lack of preparedness among high school seniors

ACT Study Results

Post-Secondary Education

Nationally ~50% entering students placed in remedial courses

Minimum College Requirements SubjectCredits English4 Math3 Science2 Social Studies2 Foreign Language2

Optimal College Requirements SubjectCredits English4 Math4 (one past Algebra II) Science3 (Laboratory courses, in Biology, Chemistry and Physics) Social Studies3 Foreign Language2

Maine’s Graduates Maine’s graduation rates vary from 75-85%. Maine’s graduation rates vary from 75-85%. 33% are optimally college ready 33% are optimally college ready Of all Maine graduating seniors Of all Maine graduating seniors 66% expect to go to college 66% expect to go to college 53% will attend 53% will attend 30% will earn a bachelor’s degree 30% will earn a bachelor’s degree 43% who enroll in Maine’s public institutions earn a degree within six years. 43% who enroll in Maine’s public institutions earn a degree within six years.

6 Year Graduation Rates UMA21% USM35% UMM45% UMPI35% UMFK41% UMF55% MMA 67% UMO53%

Current Maine Graduation Requirements English 4 Math 2 Social Studies1 US History 1 Science ( one lab)2 Fine Arts 1 Health/PE 1 Computer competence

College Math Readiness Maine Campuses CampusSATCut-offPlacementTest Development Course Enrollments UMA500Accuplacer661 UMF450 Local Test UMFK500Accuplacer 0 UMM470Accuplacer UMAINENA Local test for everyone UMPI490Accuplacer152 USM480 Local Test 545 MMANANoneNone

NEW SAT MATH EXPECTATIONS Number and Operation Arithmetic word problems (including percent, ratio, and proportion) Properties of integers (even, odd, prime numbers, divisibility, etc.) Rational numbers Logical reasoning Sets (union, intersection, elements) Counting techniques Sequences and series (including exponential growth) Elementary number theory Algebra and Functions Substitution and simplifying algebraic expressions Properties of exponents Algebraic word problems Solutions of linear equations and inequalities Systems of equations and inequalities Quadratic equations Rational and radical equations Equations of lines Absolute value Direct and inverse variation Concepts of algebraic functions Newly defined symbols based on commonly used operations

NEW SAT MATH EXPECTATIONS Geometry and Measurement Area and perimeter of a polygon Area and circumference of a circle Volume of a box, cube, and cylinder Pythagorean Theorem and special properties of isosceles, equilateral, and right triangles Properties of parallel and perpendicular lines Coordinate geometry Geometric visualization Slope Similarity Transformations Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability Data interpretation Statistics (mean, median, and mode) Probability

Honors vs. “College Prep” Math Studies a class of functions— definition, graphs, properties, and mathematical models. Topics covered include: Linear Quadratic Exponential Logarithmic Rational algebraic Irrational algebraic Higher degree functions Conic sections Sequences Probability Statistics. Extends and reviews concepts learned in Algebra 1 Introduces more advanced subjects Logarithms Coordinate geometry Probability

What is the Accuplacer? College Board Product College Board Product Three parts: Three parts: Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension Sentence Skills Sentence Skills Math Math Arithmetic Arithmetic Elementary Algebra Elementary Algebra College-Level Math College-Level Math Computerized adaptive test Computerized adaptive test Un-timed Un-timed About 20 multiple-choice questions per test About 20 multiple-choice questions per test

Why Accuplacer? It’s the current placement test for It’s the current placement test for The Maine Community College System The Maine Community College System All 7 campuses All 7 campuses The University of Maine System The University of Maine System UMA, UMFK, UMM, UMPI + ? UMA, UMFK, UMM, UMPI + ? It’s web-based It’s web-based It’s inexpensive to purchase It’s inexpensive to purchase

How does it work? $1.45 per unit, or $4.35 per student $1.45 per unit, or $4.35 per student 1-2 hours per student (1.5 hours average) 1-2 hours per student (1.5 hours average) Web-based, proctored, in lab Web-based, proctored, in lab Re-tests are usually for math, only Re-tests are usually for math, only Visit collegeboard.com Visit collegeboard.com

What needs to be done to make it work? Maine High Schools and Adult Ed Programs Maine High Schools and Adult Ed Programs Set aside time and computer labs for testing. Set aside time and computer labs for testing. Train testing coordinators. Train testing coordinators. Record scores. Record scores. Help students understand their scores. Help students understand their scores. UMS and MCCS UMS and MCCS Share cut-offs, and their proper interpretation, with Maine High Schools and each other. Share cut-offs, and their proper interpretation, with Maine High Schools and each other. Strive to SIMPLIFY! Strive to SIMPLIFY! Agree on use (or not) of calculators, if possible Agree on use (or not) of calculators, if possible Agree on sequencing of math tests Agree on sequencing of math tests Everyone Everyone Agree on use of background questions Agree on use of background questions Understand that it’s a PLACEMENT, not a DIAGNOSTIC test! Understand that it’s a PLACEMENT, not a DIAGNOSTIC test!

Everyone benefits! Consistent, easy-to-understand messages Consistent, easy-to-understand messages Feedback for students and staff Feedback for students and staff More senior year math More senior year math More appropriate senior year math More appropriate senior year math Fewer enrollments in developmental level courses Fewer enrollments in developmental level courses More Maine citizens successfully completing a higher education degree program More Maine citizens successfully completing a higher education degree program