Conley mainly focuses on Texas educational institutions, with special recommendations for educators, administrators, and advisors/counselors in the final chapter of this book. This is because of Conley’s analysis of Texas's state-wide objectives, which "were designed specifically to connect [Texas's] K-12 standards with college readiness" (228). Conley confirms that these objective changes, as proposed by the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards, are factually the right thing at helping students prepare for college because of the way they are aligned into the requirements of most entry-level college courses.
In 2006, the passing of House Bill 1 made the legislation that the state board of education should align all course objectives (the "TEKS," or the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), the state K-12 standards, and college readiness standards. Also, in 2008, the state created college readiness standards for the four core courses of English, mathematics, science, and social studies. These objectives "do not specify what students must master...[but] set out what students need to know in order to have a reasonable probability of success" in their entry-level courses in college (229). The state of Texas's progress in education, Conley notes, is an exceptional and recommended model for other states dealing with college and career readiness issues.
Conley goes over several examples that he believes are "clear messages states can send to their postsecondary systems" (251)in order to achieve better college readiness. What Conley proposes is the following:
1. States should align their high school exit-level courses with college entry level courses.
2. Postsecondary institutions should control the quality of entry-level courses
3. Improvement of assessments and diagnostic tools used for placement in postsecondary institutions.
4. The creation of "integrated student support programs" such as academic advisement centers, student support programs (like UTPA's SAMS program), writing centers, and tutorial sessions.
Governor Goodhair. Is Texas really a recommended model for the rest of the country? well, I guess, they are in for a treat.
ReplyDeleteWell, I like #4 because academic advisement and student support programs really do a lot for the students. As an Undergrad, I fondly remember being advised and how much it helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my academic career.
The Math tutoring center (where I did my homework daily here and at STC) kept me sane and usually kept me from hanging myself.