College and Career Readiness

Educators and school leaders across the state are expanding college and career readiness by implementing policies and practices that meet the needs of students of color, low-income students, and English learners. The resources below take an in-depth look at how schools and districts are committing to preparing underserved students for college and career.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE COLLEGE AND CAREER READY?

The majority of California’s Black, Latinx, and Asian Pacific Islander parents agree that students should have access to the language, knowledge, and skills they need to thrive in college and career. Education policymakers also agree that schools should ensure students are prepared to enter college or postsecondary programs ready to take credit-bearing coursework that will lead to degrees, certificates, and/or meaningful employment. The most common way students meet college and career preparedness is by completing UC/CSU a-g course requirements.

How is California doing?

Most students from underserved communities graduate not having successfully completed the a-g course sequence, meaning that they largely lack access to California’s public universities directly after high school.

EQUITABLE APPROACHES FOR EXPANDING COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

Ed Trust–West’s College and Career Readiness Action Guides take a deep dive into tangible practices that schools and districts are implementing to provide more equitable access and supports to underserved students across the state. First in a series of key approaches to expanding college and career readiness include: