Brief 4: Developing and Using College Readiness Courses

In this brief we describe how K-12 and higher education can collaborate to develop college readiness courses, which ensure that every student is ready to start higher education on their first day. Research shows that students who enter higher education without being ready have a slim chance of graduation. Courses providing students with skills for succeeding can be the key to gaining the credentials they will need to succeed. In the brief we provide practical advice for how the two sectors can start developing these courses as well as what these courses look like in the field.

This is the fourth in a series of six briefs on K-12 and higher education alignment titled K-12/Higher Education Alignment: An Action Agenda for Increasing Student Success. The series is based on our experience as the national director for the Core to College project and the experience of the State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) with the College and Career Readiness Partnership. Each brief describes a different alignment challenge, practical advice for action, important resources and state examples.