Dive Brief:
- The GradNation campaign released its latest report, “Closing the College Gap: A Roadmap to Postsecondary Readiness and Attainment," finding today’s high school upperclassmen are part of the first cohort in 50 years to experience rising educational attainment at the same time as shrinking opportunity gaps for low-income students and students of color.
- Researchers projected attainment for students in grades 1-10, however, and found they are not likely to replicate the progress made by the cohorts who came before them unless significant actions are taken to develop solutions for students who don’t graduate on time or enroll immediately in postsecondary institutions.
- One recommendation is to redefine college readiness with a greater focus on high school GPA and rigorous coursework rather than on standardized test scores, because data “overwhelmingly indicates” the former is the best predictor of college success.
Dive Insight:
A large and growing portion of colleges have eliminated their requirements for students to submit standardized test scores, opening the door for a greater focus on high school GPA and coursework. Admissions officials universally say, however, that even when they do accept standardized test scores, they are only considered as part of a more holistic process of deliberation.
While progress toward the GradNation goal of achieving a 90% high school graduation rate by 2020 has been considerable, it is troubling to think the nation may be nearing a plateau. Schools must be even more creative in reaching the students who continue to fall through the cracks, especially in the context of closing stubborn achievement gaps that leave low-income students and students of color behind.