This study continues an earlier (2021) examination of a program's move from an admissions framework that used standardized test score thresholds to a test-blind holistic review. While the initial study evinced holistic review as a more equitable gateway to honors education for students from underserved backgrounds (as compared to admission…

This brief presents a review of research and current state practices as they relate to measures that Iowa might consider for its federal accountability indicator of school quality or student success--specifically, for inclusion within a composite index of postsecondary readiness. Section 1 of this brief introduces a framework for evaluating and…

Illinois education policymakers have adopted the completion agenda that emphasizes increasing postsecondary credential attainment. Meeting completion agenda goals necessitates addressing the achievement gap. To aid in developing policy to support improved completion, this study analyzes a comprehensive statewide dataset of the 2003 Illinois high…

Over the past 20 years, gaps in students' educational aspirations have shrunk considerably (Roderick et al., 2008; Roderick, Nagaoka, & Coca, 2011; Kao & Tienda, 1998; Avery & Kane, 2004; Turner, 2007; Deil-Amen & Tevis, 2010). Similarly, racial and ethnic gaps in college enrollment have shrunk. The one area in which postsecondary…

The transition from eighth grade to high school results in a substantial drop in course performance for many students. These declines in performance lead students to fall off-track for obtaining high school and college degrees. By using data on students' middle grade performance, high school staff can set goals for their students to help them meet…

One of the most pressing problems facing our nation is the large percentage of students who enroll in college but never complete a degree. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that only 57 percent of students who sought a bachelor's degree and enrolled in a four-year institution in the fall of 2002 completed that degree within six years. For…

A four-year college degree increases a student's employment prospects and earning potential. Given this importance, it is not surprising that 75 percent of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high school students aspire to obtain at least a four-year college degree. Yet, prior research showed that few achieved this goal: a 2006 University of Chicago…

In 2001, Illinois began administering the ACT (American College Testing) test to all 11th graders in Illinois public schools as part of the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE). For the first time, ACT scores and background information were available for most public-school students who would be completing high school one year later, rather than…

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the American College Test (A.C.T.) composite score and academic success or failure as indicated by the GPA and state-board licensing examination score of students and graduates at College of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois LPN program. Subjects were 132 graduates and 34 currently…

This document contains a summary descriptive analysis of a sample of 19,716 students who took the ACT test (American College Testing Program) and were enrolled in the public community colleges of Illinois during the fall 1975 term. The sample of students represented 12% of the total freshman enrollment and 20% of the full-time freshman enrollment…

Data from 18,385 first-time full-time students, approximately 10% of total freshmen enrolled during 1977-78 at Illinois public community colleges, who took the American College Testing Program (ACT) test showed average ACT composite scores of 16.7 and average high school grade point averages (GPA) of 2.6, compared with national norms for entering…

Each of 87 participating public and private two- and four-year colleges and universities was asked to identify and produce information on all transfer students received every term during 1967-68 for a study on the magnitude, mobility, characteristics, and academic success of transfer students in Illinois. Findings indicated that the higher…

Based on the data provided by the American College Testing Program (ACT), this report summarizes the characteristics of the 12,196 Illinois community college freshmen who took the ACT examination in Fall 1979. The summary focuses on: (1) the average ACT scores of the community college students on the English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and…