We have heard much in recent years about college readiness and the role that standards, particularly the Common Core, have to play preparing students for life after high school. But we have heard much less about how institutions of higher education are thinking about the changes of the Common Core, and how much they will honor those schools and students who demonstrate a mastery of those standards. A recent article from Politico discusses this phenomenon. Following is an excerpt:
Five years after states across the nation began to adopt the Common Core, colleges have done little to align their admissions criteria, curricula or educational policies with the new standards. And while higher education officials say they’re doing plenty for now – including advocating for the standards and training teachers to use them – experts warn that the inertia could make for a bumpy transition for graduating high school students. The higher education community doesn’t even agree on a definition of “college ready” – except to acknowledge that it likely means something different at Stanford than it does at Pellissippi State Community College. “Most of higher education’s commitments so far have really reflected more of a rhetorical acceptance of higher standards,” said Lindsey Tepe, policy analyst with New America’s Education Policy Program.
In this wait-and-see environment, there are bright spots of on-the-ground policy changes. Two Colorado colleges just announced they’ll use scores on the PARCC language arts and math exams to determine whether students are fit for credit-bearing college courses. “We’re proud to be the first state with institutions making a bold step toward relying on PARCC assessments to determine college readiness,” said Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia.
Read more at: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/colleges-not-ready-for-college-ready-common-core-115881.html#ixzz3Ty8D4kAF
