Raising the Bar for Graduation Pathways to College and Work: Early Signals on How Louisiana's Education Policy Strategies Are Affecting College and Career Readiness

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly Culbertson ◽  
Matthew Baird ◽  
Sophie Meyers ◽  
Julia Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Education Policy ◽  
Career Readiness ◽  
College And Career Readiness ◽  
College And Career ◽  
Policy Strategies ◽  
Pathways To College

Oakeshott, Schumacher, and an examination of the tension between the “college and career readiness” consensus and school choice in American education policy

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Wearne
Keyword(s):  
School Choice ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
Standardized Test ◽  
Economic Outcomes ◽  
Career Readiness ◽  
College And Career Readiness ◽  
American Education ◽  
College And Career ◽  
Elite Level ◽  
American Schools

American education policy at the elite level has coalesced around a consensus valuing “college and career readiness” as the primary metric and value for American schools. This “readiness” is often defined by economic outcomes or by standardized test measures (which serve as predictors for economic outcomes). Policy actors at the local, state, and national levels are pursuing more centralized methods to reach goals based on these value assumptions. At the same time, more individualized programs and more forms of school choice are being implemented across the nation. This theoretical paper explores criticisms of this approach from both the political left and right, as well as the inherent tension between the desire for centralized standardization and outcomes measured by economic outcomes on one hand, and the growing desire among families for individualized, varied, and self-directed schooling experiences on the other.

School Counselor Perceptions of Preparation and Importance of College and Career Readiness Counseling

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 2156759X2199839
Author(s):  
Alexandra Novakovic ◽  
Eva N. Patrikakou ◽  
Melissa S. Ockerman
Keyword(s):  
School Counselors ◽  
Low Income ◽  
School Counselor ◽  
Career Readiness ◽  
College And Career Readiness ◽  
Training School ◽  
Urban District ◽  
College And Career ◽  
Counselor Perceptions ◽  
School Counselor Perceptions

This study addresses school counselors’ perceptions of the importance of college and career readiness counseling and their preparedness to implement aspects of such counseling with students and families. Results from surveying school counselors in a large urban district serving a diverse, low-income student population indicated that school counselors did not believe they were well prepared to provide many aspects of college and career readiness counseling, although they perceived that each area was important to their work with students and families. We discuss implications for training school counselors in college and career readiness counseling.

College and Career Readiness and the Every Student Succeeds Act

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 809-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel R. Malin ◽  
Debra D. Bragg ◽  
Donald G. Hackmann
Keyword(s):  
Remedial Education ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Career Readiness ◽  
College And Career Readiness ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
College And Career ◽  
School Research ◽  
Education And Employment ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Every Student Succeeds Act

Purpose: This study addressed the current policy push to improve students’ college and career readiness (CCR) as manifested within the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and examined CCR policy in the state of Illinois as a case study, noting ways in which provisions for CCR programs prepare all students, including those historically underserved by higher education, to be prepared for education and employment post–high school. Research Methods: A critical analytic approach was undertaken, foregrounding equity. We conducted thematic content analysis of ESSA and Illinois policy, employing a CCR accountability paradigm. Findings: CCR-related content was contained throughout ESSA. Although content varied, themes were identified. Dual enrollment provisions were prominent in ESSA but not the Illinois’ CCR laws; however, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics was emphasized in both. ESSA introduced but did not fully clarify what constitutes a well-rounded education and did not identify particular reporting and accountability provisions, whereas two Illinois’ CCR bills focused on remedial education and the third evidenced a more comprehensive and integrated CCR approach. These findings suggest distinct federal and Illinois’ CCR visions. A more systematic equity focus was evident within ESSA. Implications for Research, Policy, and Practice: ESSA provisions providing new flexibilities to states portend wide variation in emphasis toward, and accountability for, long-standing equity issues. District officials will also likely have substantial flexibility in their administration, design, and implementation of ESSA-funded CCR programming, which may affect educational equity in ways that advantage and disadvantage. We thus provide several cautions and recommendations.

“A Bridge Between High School and College”

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-179
Author(s):  
Tonisha B. Lane ◽  
Kali Morgan ◽  
Megan M. Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Career Readiness ◽  
College And Career Readiness ◽  
Underserved Students ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
College And Career ◽  
Academic Barriers ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Program Components

Underserved students express a high interest in earning a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree. However, their ACT benchmark indicators tend to be much lower than their peers, especially for students who report more than one underserved attribute. There are a number of STEM intervention programs (SIPs) that are designed to retain and graduate underserved students in STEM. Yet, relatively few engage in theoretically driven, empirical research to elucidate what program components contribute to college readiness. Using Conley’s college and career readiness framework, this qualitative case study examined how one SIP helped underserved students overcome academic barriers and acquire context-specific knowledge. Findings revealed that nine interrelated practices and activities contributed to students feeling better prepared for the STEM curriculum and college expectations. Still, more attention could have been devoted to advancing key cognitive strategies. This article concludes with practical implications for SIP program administrators and faculty.

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