Posted on 01/22/2014 at 09:27 AM by Global Reach
“A college and career ready student possesses the content knowledge, strategies, skills, and techniques necessary to be successful in a postsecondary setting.” (D. Conley, 2013) Conley’s definition includes recognizing there are a wide range of postsecondary options, focuses on success more than lack of remediation, and that a student’s interest, goals and desires is of critical importance in determining their readiness.
I have known a number of graduating seniors whose ACT score indicated they were not “college ready” however, upon entering college did very well. College ready does not necessarily mean ACT score with a XX% probability of earning of GPA of X in freshman year. There are other measures of readiness used as well, but not all students can be measured by these “norms." Maybe we should look at a different way of defining college and career ready. One that looks at students to determine if they are:
• Work Ready: meets the basic expectations regarding workplace behavior and demeanor.
• Job Ready: possesses specific knowledge necessary to begin an entry-level position.
• College Ready: Is prepared to succeed in general education courses.
• Career Ready: Possesses knowledge and learning skills necessary to succeed in a certificate program.
Do these indicate if a student in then “Life Ready”?
D. Conley, Ph.D., presentation at NCSL, June 8, 2012
