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COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS HEADLINES:
There are no College and Career Readiness Headlines at this time
The College and Career Readiness initiative is focused on improving high schools and is coordinating statewide efforts through a grade PK-16 strategy. Through this initiative, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is working to strengthen the high school diploma for all students. Part of this involves defining "what is college ready" and identifying the types and characteristics of courses that prepare students for success in both college and a career.
MassCore
Massachusetts Recommended High School Program of Studies (MassCore)
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Governor's Office, established a broadly constituted working committee to advise the Department and Board of Education on identifying a program of study for college and career readiness. These recommendations were reviewed by the Massachusetts Board of Education in March 2007 and were approved in November 2007.   MassCore One-Page Summary (as approved by the Mass. Board of Education November 2007)
Strengthening the Value of a High School Diploma
New Competency Determination Regulations
Students in the class of 2010 and beyond now need to either reach proficiency, or demonstrate through an Educational Proficiency Plan (EPP) that they have taken steps to get there, before earning their Competency Determination (CD) required for high school graduation. This change to the CD requirements was made in order to increase the likelihood that graduates of Massachusetts high schools have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college and the workforce.
American Diploma Project
Massachusetts is one of 22 states that have partnered with the American Diploma Project (ADP) and Achieve to align our state standards with college and work ready standards.
High School and College Alignment - English Language Arts
As an extension of the state's participation in the American Diploma Project, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education collected examples of high school and college-level course syllabi/course objectives, writing assignments, and student work. These examples point to the level of work expected from students in order to be successful in first year college English courses.
The high school work samples were contributed by teachers in Massachusetts urban and suburban schools, charter, and regional vocational technical high schools. The college level samples were contributed by both public and private college faculty. The Department is grateful to all of the dedicated educators who contributed to this college readiness resource.
Increasing Public Awareness of the Need for all High School Graduates to be College and Career Ready
Massachusetts has launched an aggressive outreach campaign through the THINK AGAIN campaign aimed at encouraging teens to stay in high school, take challenging courses and go on to college. In 2006, the Department held a student contest in which high school students were asked to produce TV and/or print advertisements promoting this effort. The winners received $1,000, and the top 10 were posted on the Department's website. The Department has also partnered with the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to create readysetgotocollege.com, an informational website detailing what students need to do to complete high school, prepare for college, apply for financial aid, and find the school that is right for them.
Other Department Initiatives
State Scholars Initiative (SSI)
The SSI is a national business/education partnership effort working to increase the number of students who take a rigorous curriculum in high school designed to strengthen their chances for success in college and the workplace.
Resources
This site offers links to resources related to College and Career Readiness.
For more information, contact:
Stafford Peat, Administrator
Secondary School Services
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148
781-338-6312 (phone)
781-338-3089 (fax)
speat@doe.mass.edu
last updated: June 18, 2009
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