College and Career Readiness

 
House Bill 18, passed in 2015, amended the statutory purpose of the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium, adding “standards and systems relating to career and college readiness” to its existing charge of improving student learning in the state by developing innovative high-priority learning standards and assessment and accountability systems.

The addition aligns with the work of the Consortium and with the vision that drives it.

The Vision: College & Career Readiness
As it relates to college and career readiness, the visioning document, Creating a New Vision for Texas Public Education, states the following:
College & Career Readiness
“Ultimately, we see schools and related venues that prepare all children for many choices and that give them the tools and attitudes to contribute to our democratic way of life and live successfully in a rapidly changing world.

In this context we see: Learning standards that reflect development of the total range of student capabilities and that enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to successfully contribute to our democratic ideals and to compete in today’s digitally connected world. … High learning standards with reasonable variation to challenge every child and motivate him or her to success. … Students who are prepared for life, for pursuing further education, for taking the first steps on their career paths, and recognizing all options open to them.”

An educational system guided by the principles that drive the Consortium will prepare students for post-secondary education, the workforce, and productive citizenship. High-priority learning standards provide a clear and coherent description of the content, depth of knowledge, and skills students are expected to master to be prepared for success in college and careers.

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