College and Career Readiness
Preparing students for success beyond high school
In many circles, efforts are under way to develop definitions of college readiness, career readiness, or both. Dr. David T. Conley and the Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC) have studied and researched college and career readiness for nearly two decades. Major work that contributes to EPIC's definition of college and career readiness includes:
- a proficiency-based college admissions system developed for the Oregon University System,
- a national study on college readiness standards sponsored by the Association of American Universities,
- multiple analyses of entry-level college courses sponsored by the College Board and others, college and career readiness standards developed under the sponsorship of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and subsequent studies of their validity relative to college and careers,
- a study of career preparation programs sponsored by the National Assessment Governing Board, and
- two major studies sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on the alignment of the Common Core State Standards to college and career readiness.
EPIC works on a continuing basis with secondary and postsecondary faculty to improve student readiness for college and postsecondary success. What is learned from practice is incorporated into tools, techniques, and strategies to help all students become ready for college and careers.