Accomplishments of Colorado's P-20 Council--and Changes Ahead for P-20 Councils?

A report released last week highlights the accomplishments of the Governor’s P-20 Education Coordinating Council here in Colorado. The council, created by executive order in 2007, successfully pushed for numerous legislative changes, including among others the development of a college-ready system of assessments, standards and curricula; a revised dual enrollment and early college system; and the creation of a P-16 data system.

The council will be disbanded when Governor Ritter leaves office in January. Kansas and Rhode Island are two other states whose current P-20 (in KS) and P-16 (in RI) councils will be dissolved when the current governor leaves office in a couple months. And other states with new governors and/or new chiefs may see changes as well, as these leaders seek to create a council that is "their own".

Recently-Elected Govs' Position Statements and P-20

While looking through the newly-elected and re-elected governors' position statements, two things become clear: (1) Many of the governors are interested in areas that are important to a P-20 system, including teaching quality, transitions from high school to college, STEM and student data systems. (2) Relatively few governors' position statements make clear that they are thinking systematically--how these areas cut across the education silos.

Hopefully once the new governors are sworn in, they will commit to education plans that ensure that these issues are seen as related to all areas, early learning through postsecondary.

A proposed model for college-readiness in state accountability

There is growing interest among state leaders on incorporating college/career-ready measures into state accountability systems. One proposed model comes from Indiana. Earlier this month, their department of education released for public comment a draft state accountability model that includes "college and career attainment" measures. High schools would be ranked on an index that includes points for the percentage of students who earn a 3 or higher on one or more AP or IB exams, complete 3 college credits or earn an industry certification.

Pages 4-5 of the draft lay out other considerations, such as ACT/SAT scores and increases in students earning honors diplomas.

Many P-16 and P-20 councils are looking for ways that teachers in schools of all performance levels can improve achievement based on best practices. California's recently-launched Brokers of Expertise Web site, based on a recommendation from that state's P-16 council, provides one model. Described by chief Jack O'Connell as "Facebook for teachers", the site went live this fall after pilot testing, a thoughtful evaluation, and modifications based on feedback from the beta-testing teachers.

Welcome to ECS' P-20 Blog!

Based on constituent interest in the issue of P-20 alignment, ECS has launched The P-20 Blog--your source for news, policy and research related to state efforts to better align early learning, K-12 and postsecondary education efforts.

Today's news item: According to the Texas Tribune, a bill filed in that state would merge the higher education coordinating board with the Texas Education Agency, "to create a single state agency focused on preschool, college and everything in between." http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-ed-coordinating-board/brown-bill-would-kill-higher-ed-coordinating-board/