Showcasing how students in High School District 214 are college ready, career ready and life ready
Redefining Ready! is a national campaign launched by AASA – The School Superintendents Association, to introduce a new multi-metric, research based approach to determining what it means to be college ready, career ready, and life ready. This campaign is designed to change the national narrative regarding public education from a one-standardized-test judges all (students, teachers, parents, and communities) philosophy to a focus on readiness for our nation’s 50 million plus public school students.
Our nation’s teachers and school leaders provide students with rigorous academic programs, personalized and career-specific learning experiences, along with social and emotional skills that prepare them to be global citizens in an ever-changing world.
Students learn in a variety of ways. Therefore, they should be able to demonstrate readiness in a variety of ways. The new readiness indicators, developed from research by world-class organizations, more accurately reflect the educational landscape of the 21st century. Multiple metrics include Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, Algebra II, early college credits, industry credentials, attendance, and community service, among others.
To view the research source documents and add your support for the campaign, AASA encourages you to visit the AASA website www.aasa.org or the Redefining Ready! website www.RedefiningReady.org.
Students are College Ready if they meet either the academic or standardized testing benchmarks.
Research from world-class organizations indicates numerous factors that can significantly and more authentically demonstrate college, career and life readiness, including a 2.8 or higher Grade Point Average (GPA), enrollment in AP and IB classes and success on AP and IB exams, early college credits, completion of industry credentials, attendance records, participation in activities and community service.
Students are Career Ready if they have identified a career interest and meet two of the behavioral and experiential benchmarks. In addition, students entering the military upon graduation must meet the passing scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) for each branch of the military.
Being Life Ready means students leave high school with the grit and perseverance to tackle and achieve their goals. Students who are Life Ready possess the growth mindset that empowers them to approach their future with confidence, to dream big and to achieve big.
“Like the global economy, today’s students are driven by ideas and innovations. They should not be reduced down to, or defined by, a single test score.”
— Dr. David R. Schuler, AASA Past President and High School District 214 Superintendent
Endorsed by:
AASA - The School Superintendents Association, Alexandria, VA
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), Washington DC
National Association of Secondary School Principals, Reston, VA
National Superintendents Roundtable, Seattle, WA
Phi Delta Kappa International, Bloomington, IN