The High School ndash; College Disconnect.ppt

The High School – College Disconnect G. Donald Allen Department of Mathematics Texas AM University Why are we here? To consider the connections and disconnections between secondary and postsecondary institutions. To develop an awareness of K-12 issues. To develop an awareness of college realities for our students. To find common ground across the bridge between high school and college. Where do we stand? Enrollment in college has remained steady at 44% of the graduating class. Texas sends fewer students to college than other states (33% of 9th graders) 72% of growth in college enrollment is in two year colleges. (565k vs 483k) College readiness is a focus area by the THECB Texas now has an Educator Quality and P-16 Initiatives division of TEA Where do we stand? Value Added in High School Declined During the Nineties Too Few 17 Year-Olds Demonstrate Strong Math Skills. Low-Income Students More Likely to End Up in 2-Year Colleges and Proprietary Institutions: 1995-96 College Freshmen Not Returning for Sophomore Year 4 yr colleges 26% 2 yr colleges 45% Graduating… The statewide six-year graduation rate is 52 percent, while the national rate is about 55 percent. Nationwide, only half (52%) of full-time, first-time freshmen at four-year institutions earn a bachelor’s degree within five years Comparisons What is College Readiness? Dual credit courses Texas Success Initiative (TSI) (formerly TASP) THEA, ASSET, COMPASS and ACCUPLACER Standards for test exemption: SAT – 1070 combined; ACT – 23 composite; TAKS – 2200 in math Texas Success Initiative Effective September 1, 2003, the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) ceased to exist, Texas Success Initiative (TSI) was implemented for all public colleges and universities. TSI is focused on using a statewide standard for assessing college level readiness skills of all entering undergraduate students at public colleges and universities. New students are assessed on their reading, writing and math skills, th