Toward a More Comprehensive Conception of College Readiness

The purpose of this report is to provide an operational definition of college readiness that differs from current representations of this concept primarily in its scope. The report suggests that, while much has been learned about this phenomenon, particularly during the past 20 years, few systematic attempts have been made to integrate the various aspects or components of college readiness that have been investigated in some depth during this period of time. As a result, college readiness continues to be defined primarily in terms of high school courses taken and grades received, along with scores on national tests, as its primary metrics.

Researchers Study Select High Schools to Identify Key Attributes of College Readiness

High schools are paying greater attention to the challenge of preparing an ever-increasing proportion of students for postsecondary education. To help high schools achieve this goal, EPIC will conduct a national project designed to identify the factors present in high schools that do an outstanding job of preparing students for success in college and will develop a tool to help other high schools incorporate these strategies into their own programs. October 17, 2007