Creating a High School Diploma That Counts: What Should Higher Education Do? SHEEO Annual Meeting July 21, 2006

2 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK Too Many Students Graduate from High School Unprepared for College and Work n 30% of first year students in postsecondary education are required to take remedial courses n 40% - 45% of recent high school graduates report significant gaps in their skills, both in college and the workplace n Faculty estimate 42% of first year students in credit- bearing courses are academically unprepared n Employers estimate 45% of recent high school graduates lack skills to advance n ACT estimates only half of college-bound students are ready for college-level reading

3 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK College Ready = Work Ready n ADP research found a common core of knowledge & skills in math and English that are necessary for success in postsecondary education and in “good jobs”. n ACT Study Ready for College Ready for Work: Same or Different?: l whether planning to enter college or workforce training programs after graduation, high school students need to be educated to a comparable level of readiness in reading and mathematics.

4 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK An Expectations Gap n We haven’t expected all students to graduate from high school college- and work-ready l State standards reflect consensus about what is desirable, not what is essential l Only 2 states required algebra II for graduation l State tests measure 8 th and 9 th grade knowledge and skills l High school accountability rarely focuses on graduation rates or on college- and work-readiness

5 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK ADP Policy Agenda: Closing the Expectations Gap n Align high school standards with college and work expectations. n Require all students to take more challenging college- and work-prep courses aligned with standards. Include “ college-ready ” test, aligned with state standards, in high school assessment system. Hold high schools accountable for graduating students college- and work-ready, and hold postsecondary institutions accountable for student success.

6 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK American Diploma Project Network

7 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK Progress since the 2005 National Education Summit Source: Achieve Survey/Research, 2006.

8 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK Progress since the 2005 National Education Summit Source: Achieve Survey/Research, 2006.

9 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK Progress since the 2005 National Education Summit Source: Achieve Survey/Research, 2006.

10 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK Progress since the 2005 National Education Summit Source: Achieve Survey/Research, 2006.

11 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK What Must Higher Education Do? To align high school standards with college and workplace expectations, higher education must: n Be Transparent – Provide a clear definition of the knowledge and skills needed to enter and succeed in college level courses. n Speak with one voice – Adopt uniform placement standards statewide, especially for open door and broad access institutions.

12 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK What Must Higher Education Do? To include a college-ready test in high school assessment system: n Insist that any test for placement purposes be aligned with state college-ready standards n Don’t rush to use admissions tests n Support the use of end-of-course exams – they can provide information needed for placement and improve college preparation by supporting rigorous teaching n Consider ADP Algebra II exam

13 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK What Must Higher Education Do? To ensure students take a college-prep curriculum, higher education should: n Actively support state and local efforts to raise high school graduation requirements n Align admissions requirements with new high school graduation requirements n Help college faculty work with high school faculty to develop high quality, rigorous high school courses that will really prepare students for college level work

14 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK What Must Higher Education Do? To ensure high schools are held accountable for increasing high school graduation rate and for increasing number of students who meet college- ready standards, higher education must: n Help build P-16 longitudinal data system n Provide specific feedback to high schools on the performance of their graduates n Help build capacity for intervening in low performing high schools

15 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK ADP Tools and Support n College- and Work-Ready benchmark expectations in math and ELA n College – and Work-Ready standards in math and ELA in 18 states within 12 months n End-of-course exam in Algebra II for 2007 – 2008 school year in 9-10 states l Can be used for postsecondary placement n Identifying Potential Dropouts: Key Lessons for Building an Early Warning Data System n Study of What College Admissions and Placement Exams Really Measure

Creating a High School Diploma That Counts: What Should Higher Education Do? SHEEO Annual Meeting July 21, 2006

17 AMERICAN DIPLOMA PROJECT NETWORK For more information, please visit Achieve, Inc. on the web at