Committee orders independent study on whether Smarter Balanced can replace Keystone exams An amendment (A02316) requiring an independent study to evaluate whether Smarter Balanced Assessments can serve as an alternative to Keystone exams was adopted unanimously and House Bill 17 52 passed the committee 26–0; members debated replacing versus studying assessments.

A unanimous committee vote could pave the way for Smarter Balanced Assessments to replace Keystone exams, sparking a debate on the future of student evaluation in Pennsylvania.

Learn more here

#PA #CitizenPortal #CollegeReadiness #StakeholderEngagement #PennsylvaniaEducation #AssessmentReform

LAUSD retreat finalizes ambitious literacy, numeracy, science and college/career targets; SEL measurement deferred for further review At a board retreat, Los Angeles Unified staff and board members agreed on aspirational district targets for literacy, numeracy, science and college/career readiness to anchor the 2026'1030 strategic plan; the board asked staff to return with options before finalizing SEL measurement tools.

LAUSD is setting ambitious targets for literacy, numeracy, and college readiness by 2030—but can they tackle the challenges of measuring social-emotional learning?

Click to read more!

#CA #LosAngelesSchools #CitizenPortal #CollegeReadiness #SocialEmotionalLearning

SAUSD reports attendance gains, AP and dual-enrollment growth but flags A-G completion gaps District education staff told the board chronic absenteeism dropped from 32.9% to 28.7% and highlighted AP and dual-enrollment gains, while warning a persistent equity gap leaves many students short of CSU/UC a-through-g eligibility.

District leaders celebrate a drop in chronic absenteeism and a rise in AP participation, but warn that significant equity gaps threaten many students' path to college readiness.

Learn more here

#CA #EquityGaps #CitizenPortal #CollegeReadiness #GraduationRates

This clip is from my last Substack chat with Kelley Challen.

Tomorrow at 7 PM EDT, Kelley & will team up again & focus our chat on additional aspects of college readiness & take YOUR questions, so join us live: https://open.substack.com/live-stream/139078

#CollegeReadiness #ADHD #SpecialEd #EduSky

Transition Tuesday. Ready or Not? Let's talk about the the transition to college. Mar 24, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT. Live on Substack. Elizabeth Hamblet is a middle-aged white woman with long blond hair who's wearing a black blazer and white blouse. Kelley Challen is a middle-aged woman with long, curly, strawberry hair. She's wearing a blue-patterned dress.

Excited to team up again with Kelley Challen for a chat next week. This time, we'll focus our chat on college readiness (what does it look like? how can parents and pros work on it) and take YOUR questions, so join us live on Substack! https://open.substack.com/live-stream/139078

#CollegeReadiness

District reports rapid growth in dual-credit options; Running Start summer funding may see state cut The Yakima School District reported strong growth in dual-credit participation — 51% of high school students took at least one course in 2425 — and described partnerships with Yakima Valley College, Central Washington University and others. Presenters said a legislative proposal could reduce Running Start summer funding, affecting summer course availability.

More than half of Yakima School District students are earning college credits while in high school, but upcoming legislative changes could threaten summer course opportunities!

Get the details!

#WA #CitizenPortal #CollegeReadiness #FundingChallenges #EducationAccess #YakimaSchools

Parents and students urge PGCPS to preserve immersion and IB pathways after budget proposals Dozens of parents, students and local officials urged the Prince George's County Board of Education to retain language immersion and International Baccalaureate programs, saying the proposed FY27 cuts would break long-standing K–12 pathways; the administration proposed an "Option B" to convert some neighborhood immersion programs to in-school lottery models.

Parents and students are fighting to save vital language immersion and IB programs in Prince George's County, warning that proposed budget cuts could jeopardize academic futures.

Learn more here

#MD #CitizenPortal #CollegeReadiness #StudentPrivacy #MarylandEducation #LanguageImmersion

Parents, teachers urge Lodi Unified to reinstate AP Computer Science at Lodi High Parents and teachers told the Lodi Unified School Board the reported removal of AP Computer Science at Lodi High would harm students’ college and career opportunities and worsen equity gaps; district staff said scheduling issues at the school — not a district‑wide policy — appear to be the immediate cause.

The potential removal of AP Computer Science at Lodi High has parents and teachers alarmed, fearing it could severely limit students' future in tech and reinforce inequities in education.

Click to read more!

#CA #CitizenPortal #STEMAccess #CollegeReadiness

Senate committee advances block of trustee confirmations for state colleges and universities The Appropriations Committee approved a block recommendation to confirm multiple trustees for state colleges and universities after hearing short statements from nominees; the committee moved the entire slate (tabs 3–24) to the Ethics and Elections Committee by voice/roll call.

The Florida Senate is one step closer to transforming higher education with a block of trustee confirmations aimed at boosting student success and community partnerships.

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#FL #CitizenPortal #CommunityPartnerships #StudentSuccess #CollegeReadiness

FJUHSD presents LCAP midyear update and progress toward an '80% moonshot' college/career goal Newly assigned Ed Services director Steve Casares gave a midyear LCAP update, reporting a 2025 college‑and‑career indicator (CCI) of 60.1%, a district general fund budget of about $233 million for 2025–26 and about $188 million allocated within the LCAP, and described interventions, CTE expansions, and next steps toward a 2027 target.

The FJUHSD is on track to achieve its ambitious goal of 80% college and career readiness by 2027, with significant progress already made in just three years!

Learn more here

#CA #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #CollegeReadiness

Understood post title is "6 Steps to help high schoolers with ADHD create a time management system." Image of a blank open notebook, a clock, and a covered book with post-its on it, all positioned on a wooden desk top.

For many college students with disabilities (and without!), time management is a challenge. I wrote this for @Understood to give students some strategies for staying on top of things. See my tips: http://bit.ly/UndTimeMan

#TimeManagement #CollegeSuccess #ADHD #Dyslexia #CollegeReadiness #EduSky

Parents and students press AISD to adopt a standard GPA scale Recordings and live public comments at the board session urged the district to stop using an "atypical" AISD GPA conversion that callers say lowers GPAs by up to a point compared with other districts, harming scholarships and recruiting; trustees asked staff to investigate standardization options.

Parents and students are demanding change at AISD, claiming the current GPA conversion is unfairly lowering their scores and jeopardizing college opportunities.

Read the full story

#TX #TexasEducation #CitizenPortal #CollegeReadiness #StudentSuccess #GPAStandardization

PHEAA podcast urges students to file FAFSA early, explains key deadlines and resources On the PHEAA Higher Education Access Corner, access partner Michelle Wirk urged families to complete the FAFSA, start college and career planning early, watch priority deadlines and use tools such as EdPlanner and My Smart Borrowing to compare costs and earnings potential.

Unlock the secrets to making college affordable as PHEAA's Michelle Wirk shares essential tips on navigating the FAFSA and maximizing financial aid opportunities!

Click to read more!

#PA #FinancialAid #CitizenPortal #StudentSupport #CollegeReadiness #PennsylvaniaEducation

Episode title is "Is Your Student Ready for College?" Picture of a white teen with dark hair in a bun looking confused as she looks as a book while surrounded by other books.

If your student got into college, does that mean they're ready? 

My friends at @collparcentral.bsky.social  have the answer. And they offer a lot of helpful advice/perspective. Listen: www.collegeparentcentral.com/2022/07/068-is-your-stud...

#CollegeReadiness #EduSky

#Parents, when to take a step back to evaluate your child’s #college readiness:
www.usnews.com/education/ge... #CollegeKupp #collegecounselors #collegeApplication #collegeadmission #collegereadiness

UCPS committee recommends Major Clarity platform be sent to full board for approval to unify college and career planning Union County Public Schools staff recommended adopting Major Clarity as a unified college-and-career platform for grades 6–12 and the curriculum committee voted Jan. 28 to send the recommendation to the full board. Staff said the three-year recommendation followed a selection process involving principals, counselors and CDCs.

Union County Public Schools is on the verge of revolutionizing college and career readiness for grades 6-12 with the recommendation to adopt Major Clarity as a unified platform!

Learn more here!

#NC #NorthCarolinaSchools #CareerPlanning #CollegeReadiness #UnifiedPlatform #CitizenPortal

Virginia Beach reports gains in AP and dual-enrollment participation; staff emphasizes counselor planning A division presentation showed increases in AP course participation (13,675 course enrollments) and dual-enrollment activity (6,150 enrollments) in 2024–25; staff stressed that AP vs. dual-enrollment decisions should be individualized and coordinated with counselors.

Virginia Beach is seeing a surge in Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment participation, with over 19,000 enrollments, but the secret to success lies in tailored counselor guidance for students' college pathways.

Learn more here!

#VA #EducationAccess #VirginiaBeachSchools #CollegeReadiness

Board hears progress report on community engagement and city/higher‑education partnerships SFUSD staff presented progress on Guardrail 1 (inclusive community engagement) and Guardrail 5 (city partnerships and guaranteed admissions with San Francisco State and City College); commissioners pressed for clear metrics, resources, and timelines to measure engagement and student readiness.

The SFUSD board is making strides in community engagement and city partnerships, but are they measuring the impact effectively on student success?

Get the details!

#SanFranciscoCitySanFranciscoCounty #CA #CommunityEngagement #SanFranciscoCommunity #YouthPartnerships #CollegeReadiness

NEISD presents TAPR, HB3 goals and progress on early literacy and college-readiness District staff presented the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) and the NEISD balanced district scorecard, reviewed HB3 early literacy and math goals, and reported growth in college-credit opportunities (AP, OnRamps, dual credit) and industry-based certification efforts.

Northeast Independent School District is making impressive strides in early literacy, math, and college readiness, with notable growth in AP and dual-credit enrollments!

Click to read more!

#TX #DataTransparency #TexasEducation #CollegeReadiness #EarlyLiteracy #CitizenPortal

EPISD reports progress and gaps on TSI, IBC and SAT goals under House Bill 3 District staff told trustees that TSI test-only college-readiness rates have risen over two years but remain below district targets; staff outlined strategies including embedded Khan Academy SAT practice, campus audits to boost industry-based certification completers, and requested deeper disaggregated data for board review.

El Paso Independent School District reveals mixed results in college readiness, showcasing significant growth in TSI scores but falling short on industry certifications and SAT goals.

Get the details!

#TX #TexasEducation #CollegeReadiness #CareerPathways #CitizenPortal #AcademicProgress

Ysleta ISD trustees hear TAPR showing strong CCMR and equity gains, note gaps in 7th‑grade math Superintendent presented the Texas Academic Performance Report, highlighting high college‑career‑military readiness (92.3%), strong special education and emerging bilingual results, and district funding mix; trustees pressed staff on 7th‑grade math declines, college completion rates and discipline coding changes.

Ysleta ISD shines with a remarkable 92.3% college-career-military readiness rate, yet faces challenges in seventh-grade math and college persistence.

Get the details!

#TX #DataTransparency #TexasEducation #SpecialEducation #CollegeReadiness #CitizenPortal

District's progress‑monitoring role‑play shows math gains for near‑ready students but persistent gaps for students with IEPs In role‑play monitoring sessions, district presenters said middle‑grade math shows modest gains overall but limited acceleration for students 20 points below grade level and for students with IEPs; administrators proposed differentiated acceleration, targeted staffing, and earlier TSI preparation for high‑school readiness.

Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD reveals modest math gains for near-proficient students, but alarming gaps persist for those with IEPs—what's their plan to bridge the divide?

Learn more here!

#TX #TexasEducation #MathProficiency #DifferentiatedInstruction #CollegeReadiness #CitizenPortal

CCSD superintendent highlights AP recognition, new schools and $5.5 million mental‑health grant in midyear report Superintendent Huggins told trustees the district won national AP recognition at six schools, opened two large capital projects paid by the penny sales tax, and secured a multi‑year $5.5 million mental‑health grant that will add psychologists and recruitment incentives targeted to North Charleston schools.

Charleston County School District is making strides with new schools, expanded AP recognition, and a transformative $5.5 million mental-health grant aimed at enhancing student support.

Click to read more!

#SC #EducationAccess #MentalHealthSupport #CollegeReadiness #CitizenPortal

State Board committee refines 2026–2028 master plan draft, asks staff to raise, clarify goals The Tennessee State Board of Education strategic planning committee met Jan. 9 to review the draft master plan through 2028, debating goal methodology for literacy and numeracy, definitions and targets for college/career/military readiness, teacher licensure and retention metrics, member engagement targets, and language on AI; staff will revise the draft and circulate it for final review before the February board meeting.

The Tennessee State Board of Education is on a mission to redefine success with ambitious goals for literacy, career readiness, and teacher retention by 2028!

Click to read more!

#TN #TennesseeEducation #TeacherRetention #LiteracyNumeracy #CollegeReadiness #CitizenPortal

NEISD presents TAPR and scorecard: early literacy gains and rising college-and-career participation District staff presented the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) and NEISD balanced scorecard, highlighting early literacy gains, MAP/STAR goals, growth in OnRamps/AP/dual-credit enrollments, and plans to expand counselor dashboards; trustees requested slide PDFs and benchmarking data.

NEISD's latest report reveals impressive gains in early literacy and a surge in college-credit opportunities, showcasing the district's commitment to student success.

Click to read more!

#TX #LiteracyGrowth #TexasEducation #AccountabilityData #CollegeReadiness #CitizenPortal

Spring ISD reports gains in CCMR measures, outlines counseling and scheduling steps for student readiness Superintendent and district leaders told trustees the district is tracking gains in College, Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) and CTE outcomes and described steps—master scheduling, counselor engagement and family communication—to embed CCMR readiness across campuses.

Spring Independent School District is on track to boost college and career readiness for over 32,000 students, aiming for 77.2% accountability by 2029!

Click to read more!

#TX #TexasSchools #StudentSupport #CollegeReadiness #CitizenPortal #CareerEducation

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