College Readiness in the Last Frontier: Measuring Alaska Students' Progress Toward New State Standards

• In Event: Roundtable Session 57
  In Roundtable Session: Rethinking High-Stakes Assessments: College Readiness, State Comprehensive Assessments, and Educator Evaluation in the United States and Abroad

Abstract

Alaska recently revised K-12 English and math standards with the goal of increasing students’ college and career readiness. The state is also undergoing a cross-sector process to define college readiness. Using student-level data on first-time students who enrolled from fall 2008 to spring 2012 in the University of Alaska (UA) system, this study provides information on the degree to which UA students are considered ready for college coursework based on their exam performance. It also explores the use of high school grades, attendance, and behavior incidents to assess college readiness. This work is intended to help Alaska begin to track high school students’ progress toward college readiness using indicators that measure dimensions of readiness beyond academic proficiency.

Authors

• Michelle Hodara, Education Northwest

• Ashley Pierson, Education Northwest

• Monica B. Cox, Education Northwest