Contact:
Jonathan Lackland
217.557.7334
lackland@ibhe.org
Candace Mueller
217.557.7354
mueller@ibhe.org
July 25, 2014
IMPROVING STUDENT PREPARATION FOR COLLEGE
Board will hold discussion on Illinois Learning Standards and its importance to postsecondary education
SPRINGFIELD – At its Board meeting on August 5, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) will discuss a statewide strategy that will improve the preparation of all students for college — Illinois Learning Standards and the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). Illinois has joined more than 40 states in a collaborative effort to raise learning standards and improve college and career readiness for students through the Illinois Learning Standards. In addition, the PARCC assessment system will significantly increase the number of graduating students who are prepared for college and workforce success with Illinois serving as one of 11 states serving on the PARCC’s governing board.
According to current Illinois data, nearly half of entering students (and more than 60% of underrepresented students) are in remediation courses at Illinois’ community colleges and only 14% of those will graduate with an associate’s degree. Over 15% of freshman at Illinois public universities require remediation, and only 44% of those graduate. Nationally, it has been estimated that colleges spend $7 billion annually on remedial education. Students spend $3 billion to take those courses yet fewer than one out of five of these students earn a degree.
Matt Gandal, President Education Strategy Group; Dr. Christopher Koch, Superintendent of the Illinois State Board of Education; Allison Jones, Vice President for Postsecondary Collaboration, Achieve, Inc.; and Kathy Havens Payne, Senior Director of Education Leadership, State Farm will lead a discussion with IBHE on the Illinois Learning Standards and PARCC and its ability to help address college affordability and close achievement gaps.
“The Illinois Learning Standards and PARCC are critical to the successful future of Illinois students,” Lindsay Anderson, IBHE Chair, said. “The State’s K-12 system must be aligned to rigorous readiness standards to ensure students are prepared for the rigors of college and the workforce, especially since two-thirds of jobs in Illinois over the next decade will require a college degree or credential. We are excited to partner with the Illinois State Board of Education in the implementation of the new standards and assessments which will help create a more affordable system and break down achievement gaps, particularly for underrepresented students.”
The IBHE will meet at 1:00 p.m. on August 5, in the Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center, at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.
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