GettingPastGo

Examines the evidence base on reforming mathematics classroom pedagogy, which may be a potential means for improving the course completion and learning outcomes of developmental math students. (Center for Community College Research, February 2011)

Details the tension between institutions developing innovative approaches to assess students and deliver remedial content and state policies that reinforce the traditional course-based design.

Article discusses a comprehensive evaluation of Achieving the Dream, which reveals that overall trends in student outcomes at the first 26 institutions to join the project remained relatively unchanged after five years, even though the colleges adopted a wide range of strategies to improve them. (Inside Higher Ed, 02/10/11)

Report examines the first 26 colleges to join Achieving the Dream. The colleges developed more sophisticated methods for data analysis and efficient systems for monitoring their efforts to improve student achievement. Conversely, about one-fifth of the colleges still struggled to implement many of the initiative's recommended practices, hindered primarily by weak institutional research capacity. (MDRC and Community College Research Center, February 2011)

Article and data show that only 41% of 2009 New York high school graduates met the English and math state Regents scores that experts predict would allow students to earn a C or higher is college course in same subject. (New York Times, 02/07/11) Link to NYT data document http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/nyregion/20110208regentsGradRates.PDF

Annual remedial report includes data on participation, student success and cost, as well as high school feedback data. This year's report includes detailed graduation information for remedial students. (Colorado Commission on Higher Education, February 2011)

Article that discusses members of New York's faculty and professional union rejecting a bid -- endorsed by their leaders -- to split off from the American Association of University Professors.

Annual survey summarizes whether states and the District of Columbia have adopted standards, graduation requirements, assessments and accountability systems aligned to the expectations of two- and four-year colleges and employers. (Achieve Inc., January 2011)

CCRC designed a study to address the following question: What student characteristics, course-taking patterns, and other factors are associated with higher probabilities that students who require remediation will take and pass college-level math and English?

Automated essay scoring (AES) has many benefits such as immediate grading, reliable reporting, and diagnostic feedback. While automation poses certain operational and technical challenges, more states are adopting AES for both formative and summative assessments. This presentation presents empirical data from the state of West Virginia online writing assessments on the reliability and validity of machine scores.

Blog with a summary of articles critical of the common core

Commentary from Joe Nathan making the case that reductions in remedial rates for recent high school grads will save Minnesota money

Commentary in Times of Trenton on high remediation rates.

Story in the Register-Herald stating that West Virginia will begin a five year process to implement the Common Core standards in West Virginia schools.

Evaluation of the SUN project in the Colorado Community Colleges. Initiative was intended to better prepare and transition adult education students into community college programs.

Facing dwindling state dollars and more pressure to graduate students, Texas community colleges may begin steering students who test at the lowest skill levels toward shorter vocational programs or adult basic education before attempting college academics. (San Antonio Express-News, 01/21/11)

Web site for the Transitions Mathematics Project at the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges

Brief by Bruce Vandal for NGA; highlights approaches to improve productivity, student success in remedial education; also has college completion implications

Details the work of the Voluntary Framework of Accountability, which has rolled out its Stage One pilot measures for college readiness and workforce, economic and community development measures.

Discusses a meeting of faculty members from the unions of public colleges from 21 states to launch a campaign to assure the future of higher education. Participants reviewed a set of organizing principles contained in a draft document called "Quality Higher Education for the 21st Century." (Inside Higher Ed, 01/24/11)