Improving Student Success & Strengthening Alignment

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in partnership with local coordinators and the Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC), sponsored 14 College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) Regional Meetings throughout the State of Texas in October and November, 2008. The key outcomes were:

• Increased awareness/understanding: Community and educational leaders learned about the CCRS -- both the importance of the standards to the students in their region and how communities can support public education/higher education partnerships to increase student performance.

• Plans for the future: Participants began to develop regional plans for action to align curriculum and develop support systems so that all students graduate college and career ready.

The meetings consisted of two sessions:

• All day: Intended for decision-makers who initiate, coordinate, and participate in planning for alignment and professional development activities. Examples included College Readiness Special Advisors (CRSAs) and vertical partners, such as educational administrators, curriculum directors, department heads, deans of instruction, and chairs/lead faculty in key content areas such as English/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.

• Morning session: Was geared toward community leaders and key stakeholders. Examples included P-16 Regional Council members, including business and community leaders, area superintendents and boards of trustees, college and university presidents, chief academic officers, and governing board members.

EPIC staff facilitated all meetings and helped participants develop a plan of action for comprehensive and coordinated vertical alignment strategies for implementing the CCRS.