College-Readiness LinksThe College Crusade’s programs and services are aligned with the latest research in the college-readiness field. To learn about college-readiness programs and research initiatives nationwide, we recommend the following major resources:
Toward a More Comprehensive Conception of College Readiness (.pdf format), prepared for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by David T. Conley, provides a four-component definition of college readiness, with specific examples of indicators and ideas for what schools and students can do to foster and develop college readiness. Dr. Conley is with the Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC), whose mission is to improve educational policy and practices in ways that lead to more productive education results for all students and particularly for students historically underserved by public schools.
Closing the Expectations Gap 2008 (.pdf format) is Achieve’s third annual survey of state educational policies created to close the expectations gap between “the standards students are required to meet to earn a high school diploma and the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their college and career pursuits after high school.”
Achieve, Inc.
Created by the nation's governors and business leaders, Achieve helps states raise academic standards and achievement so that all students graduate ready for college, careers and citizenship. Achieve sponsors the American Diploma Project Network (ADP), which is a coalition of 33 states dedicated to aligning standards, graduation requirements, assessments and accountability policies with the demands of college and careers. Rhode Island is a member of the ADP network, and a state data profile (.ppt format) is available. Achieve’s publications include national and state reports as well as policy briefs and white papers that focus on preparing all students for college and work.
ACT, Inc.
An independent, not-for-profit organization that provides more than a hundred assessment, research, information, and program management services in the broad areas of education and workforce development. To learn more about the ACT test, a national college admission and placement examination, see Facts about the ACT . To explore ACT’s many reports, case studies, and issue briefs on education, see their Research and Policy Issues page.
College Board
A not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). Among its many policy and advocacy initiatives , the College Board assists states, including Rhode Island , as they seek to improve access to college opportunity. It also offers a substantial amount of information via a directory of data, reports, and research .
NCAN - National College Access Network
NCAN’s mission is to improve access to and success in postsecondary education for first-generation, underrepresented and low-income students. It helps local communities all over the country initiate, develop and sustain their own college access programs. Features of their services for members include a national directory of college-access programs and a toolkit for building a college-access organization. Through NCAN’s listserv, members receive information and advice from practitioners as well as timely notices of emerging research in the field.
Pathways to College Network
An alliance of 38 national organizations and funders committed to advancing college access and success for underserved students. Includes a comprehensive library of publications pertaining to college-readiness issues.
Additional ResourcesDiplomas Count 2008
An annual report from Education Week and the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, produced with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Education Commission of the States
The mission of the Education Commission of the States is to help states develop effective policy and practice for public education by providing data, research, analysis and leadership; and by facilitating collaboration, the exchange of ideas among the states and long-range strategic thinking.
Quality Counts 2008
An annual report from Education Week and the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, produced with support from the Pew Center on the States.
RI Kids Count
A children’s policy and advocacy organization that provides information on child well-being, stimulates dialogue on children’s issues, and promotes accountability and action. The annual RI Kids Count Fact Book tracks many educational indicators for child well-being in the state.
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