Analyzing the Alignment of High School Graduation & College Admissions Requirements in Indiana Jennifer Sattem March 14, 2019 Vice President, Policy & Research
Overview • Nationally, high school graduation rates continue to rise , but college and career readiness indicators remain flat . • A majority of states are now offering students more than one pathway to graduation. • High school graduation requirements are powerful levers to increasing the number and diversity of students who complete a college- and career- ready course of study.
Source: https://completecollege.org/data-dashboard/
Students who enter college in need of remediation are less likely to complete a degree.
College completion matters According to the Third Way, if the the college graduation rate was the same as the high school graduation rate nationally (84%), for just one graduating class, there would be: • 1.3 million more college degree holders • A net increase of 107,400 new individuals in the workforce and a reduction in the number of people in poverty • An increase in earnings. Two-year degree holders earn an average of $4,849 more a year and four-year degree holders earn an average of $19,034 more a year than those who do not complete a degree • An increase of more than $90 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue over the course of their lifetime Source: https://www.thirdway.org/infographic/what-is-the-ripple-effect-of-graduating-more-college-students
What can states do to prepare more students? How can states better align their systems? 6
What is a pathway? States are recognizing that not all students have the same postsecondary destination or the same pathway to that destination, but pathway means different things in every state. Various approaches to pathways include: – A single discrete diploma with multiple sets of pathways or requirements to get that diploma, including adding assessments or other learning experiences – Multiple diplomas with different sets of requirements – Defined career and technical education pathways – Multiple variations of the above
The structure of state graduation requirements matter 1 2 3 States may offer Nationally, states Many states still have discrete diplomas, or different sets of offer more than 100 endorsements/ different high school expectations for designations on top of students in order to graduation options a single diploma. for students. complete high school. 4 5 6 When the default Only 10 of the 29 29 states offer at least option is aligned to a states with more than two graduation college- and career- one diploma option options for students, ready (CCR) course of report student with a few offering study, more students participation rates students five or more complete a CCR within each of these options. course of study. state-defined options. 8
High school course requirements matter Indiana High School Graduates, 2016 Percent of graduates enrolled in college, by diploma Percent of students enrolling in Indiana public colleges in need of remediation 100% 100% 90% 90% 80% 80% 70% 70% 60% 60% 50% 50% 40% 40% 30% 30% 20% 20% 10% 10% 0% 0% Honors Core 40 General Honors Core 40 General Did not need remediation Not Enrolled in Postsecondary Institution Needed remediation Enrolled in Postsecondary Institution Source: Indiana Commission for Higher Education. “College Readiness Report, 2018.” https://www.in.gov/che/files/College%20Readiness%202018.pdf
How do state high school graduation requirements compare to college admissions requirements?
• https://highschool.achieve.org • The data explorer focuses on mathematics and science requirements for high school graduation and for admission at public, four-year college options in each state that serve some of the largest populations of first-time, in-state students. • This illustrates the alignment (or gaps) between what is expected of students to graduate high school and the four- year universities that large numbers of students in each state aspire to enter.
In 29 states , completing the state’s required math coursework for graduation In over half of f states , the will not necessarily prepare a student for postsecondary admissions requirements. graduation pathway students are automatically expected to In the remaining 21 states , completing complete puts the burden on the state’s required math coursework meets postsecondary admissions individual students to choose requirements. more rigorous coursework that will give them the academic preparation needed to meet the math re requirements of postsecondary institutions we looked at in their state.
In 24 states , completing the state’s required science coursework for In ju just under half of f states , the graduation will not necessarily prepare a student for postsecondary admissions graduation pathway students requirements. are automatically expected to In the remaining 26 states , completing complete puts the burden on the state’s required science coursework individual students to choose meets postsecondary admissions requirements. more rigorous coursework that will give them the academic preparation needed to meet the science re requirements of postsecondary institutions we looked at in their state.
…… Key Disconnects in Course Requirements ……
Postsecondary admissions requirements findings • Mathematics – Number of courses • 63 institutions require 3 math courses • 35 institutions require 4 math courses – Content of the courses • 73 institutions require Algebra II or equivalent, or two years of Algebra • 20 of those institutions require a course beyond Algebra II Achieve looked at admissions requirements at 98 public, 4-year colleges or universities in 50 states. The University of the District of Columbia, DC’s only four -year institution, does not specify course requirements for admission. Thus, the District of Columbia was not included in this analysis.
Postsecondary admissions requirements findings • Science – Number of Courses • 22 institutions require 2 science courses • 70 institutions require 3 science courses • 6 institutions require 4 science courses – Content of the courses • 65 institutions specify lab science
Postsecondary admissions requirements findings • Computer Science • 4 institutions allow computer science to count toward science requirements • 3 institutions allow computer science to count toward math requirements • 1 institution allows computer science to count toward math or science requirements • 5 institutions allow computer science to count toward foreign language or elective credits
Graduation Pathways in Indiana Ensure that every Hoosier student graduates from high school with: 1. A strong foundation of academic and technical skills, 2. A broad awareness of and engagement with individual career Graduation Pathways in Indiana interests and associated career options, and 3. Demonstrable employability skills that lead directly to meaningful opportunities for postsecondary education, training, and gainful employment.
Indiana’s new graduation pathways Students must complete all three of the following: Demonstrate Earn a high school Demonstrate postsecondary-ready diploma employability skills competencies Students must still earn one Students must complete one Students must meet a defined of the following diplomas: of the following: benchmark on a number of 1. General Diploma 1. A project-based learning different assessments such as 2. Core 40 Diploma experience the ACT, SAT, AP or IB exams. 3. Academic Honors or 2. A service-based learning Or students may meet other Technical Honors experience benchmarks approved by the Diploma 3. A work-based learning state for industry recognized experience credential, apprenticeships, or CTE programs. The state may also approve locally-defined pathways.
How do Indiana’s high school course requirements for graduation compare to college admissions requirements?
Math Requirements Does General Does Core 40 Does Core 40 with Does Core 40 with Diploma Completion Academic Honors Technical Honors Completion Make Make Student Completion Make Completion Make Student Eligible Eligible for Student Eligible Student Eligible for for Admission? Admission? for Admission? Admission? Ball State University - Indiana University Bloomington Indiana State University - Ivy Tech Community College* Purdue University- Main Campus *At Ivy Tech, Achieve looked at whether completion would exempt the student from placement testing.
Science Requirements Does General Does Core 40 Does Core 40 with Does Core 40 with Diploma Completion Academic Honors Technical Honors Completion Make Make Student Completion Make Completion Make Student Eligible Eligible for Student Eligible Student Eligible for for Admission? Admission? for Admission? Admission? Ball State University Indiana University Bloomington Indiana State University - Ivy Tech Community College* Purdue University- Main Campus *At Ivy Tech, Achieve looked at whether completion would exempt the student from placement testing.
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