College Readiness Initiative at Wright College

Bridging the Gap

The Issue According to the National Education Longitudinal

Study, three in five community college students require at least one remedial course

Of matriculating students at Wright over 50% require remediation in either math, reading, or writing, and often in multiple subjects.

Evidence suggests there are large discrepancies between state testing standards of college readiness skills and the skills colleges actually require for placement into an entry-level course

Secondary and postsecondary institutions often operate as separate entities. Our initiative hopes to bridge this separation.

College Readiness Initiative

Research indicates that college readiness can be improved by partnerships with secondary institutions such as dual enrollment and early assessment

Numerous initiatives indicate that early assessment alone is insufficient. We envision a more robust program that encompasses pedagogical discussion and faculty collaboration

We have gleaned best practices from other postsecondary institutions, especially Elgin Community College, in order to create a unique model for Wright College, its students, and our top feeder high schools

We aim to build crucial relationships that are imperative for a sustainable program

Facilitate conversations between secondary and postsecondary math and English faculty about curriculum, college readiness, and vertical integration

Ensure that more students experience a college going culture and enter Wright College ready to earn full college credit

Support faculty-driven discourse that connects directly back to classroom practices in order to achieve a meaningful and lasting impact

Develop mechanisms for assessing the program and partnership collaboratively

College Readiness Initiative Mission: Collaborative not Prescriptive

Anticipated Practices

Peer tutoring for service learning Professional development workshops led

by Wright and high school faculty Shared curriculum Action research and other internal

research projects

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

-  Margaret Mead