This section examines the left side of the college and career readiness framework: the essential skills and knowledge that students need for college readiness. These elements are critical to students achieving access to and success in postsecondary programs following the completion of their high school degrees.
In recent years, there has been increased debate among both researchers and practitioners about what it means for students to be “college ready.”[1] Several key components are instrumental in preparing young people for successful entry into and completion of postsecondary education.[2]
The concept map below depicts four components of college readiness and their corresponding elements, each of which focuses on a subset of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
A Concept Map of College Readiness
College Planning and Preparation
Academic Knowledge
Academic Skills
Academic and Educational Engagement
As noted in the introduction to this guide, the use of written education and career plans (ECPs) helps students chart paths between where they are and where they want to be. The ECPs can help students identify the specific steps needed to achieve their education and career goals, including coursework and both curricular and extracurricular experiences. Based on the student’s education and career goals, the plan should be aligned with both high school graduation requirements and postsecondary entrance requirements.
Component: College Planning and Preparation
College planning and preparation enables young people to acquire the information needed to gain acceptance into postsecondary education programs as well as the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in them. Click below for more information on each of the elements of college planning and preparation.
- Element 1: Understanding postsecondary options and requirements for entry (PDF)
- Element 2: Understanding the cultures of postsecondary institutions (PDF)
- Element 3: Knowing the concrete steps needed to pursue and complete postsecondary education (PDF)
- Element 4: Understanding the costs and benefits of postsecondary education and securing and maintaining the financial resources to attend and graduate (PDF)
Component: Academic Knowledge
Academic knowledge requires mastering content in the core subject areas — English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Click the links below for more information on the elements of academic knowledge.
Component: Academic Skills
By mastering academic skills, students acquire the abilities to organize, synthesize, evaluate, analyze, link, and apply knowledge, ideas, and concepts within a specific content area and/or across content areas. Click the links below for more information on the elements of academic skills.
Component: Academic and Educational Engagement
By being engaged in academic and educational pursuits, young people show that they are informed about, invested in, and motivated by their postsecondary goals. Click the links below for more information on the elements of academic and educational engagement.