FAQ

What was EPIC's role in developing the College Readiness Standards (CRS) for Texas?

EPIC served in a consulting role to help guide the CRS development process. EPIC also provided support for this endeavor by facilitating Vertical Team (VT) meetings and developing online tools used throughout the development and public comment processes.

How do the proposed CRS relate to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)?

The CRS are a starting point for a more comprehensive alignment between high schools and colleges. While initial analyses find high degrees of alignment between the TEKS and the CRS, this will need to be validated further. Establishing a clear connection between the TEKS and the CRS is a critical component of system alignment that will result in more students being ready for college. Once adopted, work will begin immediately to determine the alignment between the CRS and practices in Texas secondary and postsecondary courses. This will be done by creating "reference courses" derived from "best practices" present in Texas colleges and universities. These courses will serve as the basis for determining with greater precision the alignment between the TEKS and the CRS as well as for designing instructional materials that connect high school and college instruction.

Is EPIC currently working with other states to develop similar standards for college readiness?

Yes. EPIC has recently worked with the State of Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop college readiness definitions for English/Language Arts and Science.