The State of State College-Readiness Policies

• In Event: Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: State Policies for Performance Funding and College Readiness

Abstract

College readiness has become a major theme in education reform discussions in recent years as the nation increasingly seeks to take a “P–20” (i.e., preschool to college) approach to education policy. This study analyzes the state of state college readiness policies. Based on the characteristics of five state-level college readiness policies - P-20 councils, P-20 data, dual enrollment, advanced coursework offerings, and statewide assessment – we group similar states using hierarchical cluster analysis. Each group is analyzed to uncover patterns within and across states' college readiness policies. This study responds to policy scholars' calls for empirical research on college readiness policies. Our exploratory analysis is intended to generate hypotheses for future policy research on college readiness policies across American states.

Authors

• Grant Blume, University of Washington

• William M. Zumeta, University of Washington