Gregory M. DarniederSenior Advisor to the Secretary on the

College Access Initiative

Denver, Colorado June 21, 2010

XAPA Mission We Must Accomplish

The National Landscape

“The decline of American education is:

Untenable for our economyUnsustainable for our democracy

Unacceptable for our children”- President Barack Obama

1

What is the Mission of Schools?Example Statements:

Academically and Socially prepared for future life roles

Graduate College and Career ReadyProductive Members of a Democratic SocietyA Global CitizenCompetitive in a 21st Century

Economy….and beyond “The goal of high school used to be about

graduation; now it strives to launch students to college and career success” - NYC

2

What does the research tell us?The current structure of middle and high schools do

not prepare low-SES students, minority students and first generation students to attend college.

Even when low, traditionally underserved students are academically prepared to go to college they do not apply at the same rate.

Low-SES and minority students receive less instructional time, academic support and help from their teachers in comparison to their in-class peers.

Students college and career goals are often not aligned to their academic preparation.Source: College Keys Compact, College Board

3

National Economic CrisisGovernors, mayors and county board chairsAmerica’s Promise – Dropout Challenge

5 Building Blocks

- Alliance for Excellent EducationHalving the dropout rate

CEOs for Cities – Talent Dividend1% growth in BA attainment

4

City Dropout and Postsecondary Enrollment ReportsDenverMilwaukeeChicagoNew YorkSt. LouisWashington, DC

5

Metropolitan Area Calls to ActionPortland: April, 2010 Boston: May, 2010St. Louis: October, 2009Philadelphia: Mayor Nutter – 2008

San Antonio: Summer 2010Kansas City, KS/MO: Fall 2010

6

High School Level Postsecondary Enrollment Reports 20+ States

Restricted to state university system enrollment

College SummitNSC Data for High School Pilot

National Student ClearinghouseStudent Tracker for High School

7

Action Analytics – High School Level ReportsNew York City – ‘Where Are They Now’ 2010

Boston – ‘Getting to the Finish Line’

St. Louis – ‘Regional College Access Pipeline’

Chicago – Since 2004Denver – 2010

8

Political LeadershipBostonPhiladelphiaChicagoDenverNew YorkPortlandSan Antonio

9

Organizational FocusNational League of CitiesCollege Goal SundayCollege SummitCollege BoardCEO’s for CitiesAlliance for Excellent EducationComplete College America

10

DATA ELEMENTS1. High School Transcript Data

What do we know about our students during high school?

2. Senior Exit Questionnaire

What do students plan to do after high school graduation and how many take the needed steps to get to college?

3. College Enrollment Data (National Student Clearinghouse)

What students actually enroll and persist in college?

4. IPEDS Data and Barron’s Ratings

What are the characteristics of the colleges where students enroll?

11

DATA ELEMENTS5. Employment Data (Illinois Department of Employment

Security) What students actually work, what are their wages,

and in what industries do they work?

6. FAFSA Data (Illinois Student Assistance Commission) What seniors complete their FAFSA and when do they

complete it?

7. Freshmen Transition Questionnaire What issues affect students’ transition to high school

and what are their postsecondary aspirations?

8. Freshmen on track

9. Career Exploration Data (Choices Planner) What students are completing college and career

planning activities that prepare them for life after high school?12

USE OF THIS DATA? Regular reporting of student outcomes

Career exploration and College Choice (6-12th grades)

Freshmen on track

Postsecondary outcomes

Postsecondary planning and preparation

Examine trends to see what’s working

Drill-down to student groups to identify targeted areas for program delivery

CTE/AP/SLC/AVID/GEAR-UP

Continuous program improvement

Monthly meetings with consortium at U of C

Internal weekly meetings

Regular dissemination meetings to principals

Principal evaluations 13

BUILDING HUMAN CAPITAL TO DRIVE THE DATA

14

Central Office

CEO’s Office

Senior Staff

Area Instructional Officers

Department Managers

Program Managers

Postsecondary Specialists

School-Based Staff

Principals

Assistant Principals

Counselors

Teachers

Postsecondary Coaches

15

USING DATA TO DRIVE SUCCESS

Seniors complete the FAFSA before enrolling in college

Seniors complete FAFSA early in calendar year

Students enroll in college

=

=

=

• Check that students complete their FAFSA• 84.1% in 2009—almost 17% increase from 2007

• Increased first semester Fall college enrollment from 43.5% in the Class of ‘04 to52.5% in the Class of ‘08

• Check weekly that students complete their FAFSA• 47.5% by March in 2008— ~ 12% increase from March 2007

EXAMPLE: FAFSA COMPLETION

What more do we need to know about students to inform policy and practice?

• Certifications and licensures

• Employment outside of Illinois

• Federal employment

• Military enlistment

• Incarceration data

• Course-taking and grades at postsecondary institutions

16

Why?Relevant and usable data

Trust built between researchers and practitionersMake observations and suggest strategy questionsHelps schools and LEA’s be learning

organizationsRole of researchers as facilitators of

knowledge Trust Working Relationships Right Indicators

Build Capacity of SEA’s and LEA’sTo conduct researchEvaluate programs and priorities

Other UsesFederal grants – SLC, Perkins, GEAR UP, TRIO

17

Increased Focuses State Longitudinal Data Systems A Guide for Data Analysts by Gates Foundation

Dropouts Tracking credits (on-track) Sub-groups (over-aged, academically struggling)

Mix of School and Program options Schools: magnet, small, career, neighborhood Programs: CTE, SLC, evening, transfer, IB, AVID, sub-groups

“The Promise of Proficiency” – College Summit Refocus mission of high school beyond graduation Calls for college enrollment and proficiency data

“College and Career Ready” – Early Sector Reports by Chad Alderman Improve high school accountability Calls for:

Tracking into the workforce Learning gains resources

NSC – HS Students Tracker Reports www.chooseyourfuture.org18

College Enrollment Rate Rises Faster than Nation’s

Change in Enrollment Rates Between 2004 and 2008

Change in Enrollment Rates Between 2004 and 2008Major Racial/Ethnic Groups

College Enrollment Rate Rises Faster than Nation’s

African-American Students Closing Gap on National Average

Latino Students Steadily Increasing as National Average Makes Little Gain

College Enrollment Increases Nine Percentage Points

N=18,159N=17,669N=17,348N=17,672N=18,224