Principle 3: Alignment and Transition

PRINCIPLE STATEMENT:

Education and training providers, with input from business and industry, enhance alignment that facilitates student preparation and transition through the educational pipeline.
 
PRINCIPLE DESIGN ELEMENTS:

1. Non-duplicative curriculum is ensured through secondary and postsecondary collaboration for greater efficiency and alignment.
2. Course content and credit are aligned through articulation agreements which lead to industry recognized credentials and/or certification.
3. Curriculum is aligned with relevant educational, state, and industry standards and certifications.
4. Programs are designed with multiple entry and exit points to high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations and encourage stackable credentials.
5. Programs include development of a coherent sequence of courses and programs that may lead to the baccalaureate degree.
6. Data-sharing agreements are developed for program improvement, program reporting, and the evaluation of student transition across educational levels to provide necessary support services and ensure student success.
7. Programs provide students with multiple opportunities to build and/or increase their “college knowledge” in order to make informed decisions about educational and occupational options.

 
PRINCIPLE RESOURCES:

Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance (2008). Transition matters: Community college to bachelor's degree. Washington, DC: Author.

Center for Community College Student Engagement. (2008). Imagine success: Engaging entering students (2008 SENSE Field Test Findings). Austin, TX: The University of Texas at Austin, Community College Leadership Program.

Conley, D.T. (2005). Align high school with college for greater success. Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, 71(2), 4-12.

Education Week. (2008). Diplomas count 2008: School to college can state P-16 councils ease the transition? Bethesda, MD: Editorial Projects in Education Research Center.

Golann, J.W., & Hughes, K.L. (2008). Dual enrollment policies and practices: Earning college credit in California high schools. New York, NY: Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University.

Hoffman, N., Vargas, J., & Santos, J. (2008). On ramp to college: Astate policymaker’s guide to dual enrollment. Boston, MA: Jobs for the Future.

Roderick, M., Nagaoka, J., Coca, V., & Moeller, E. (2008). From high school to the future: Potholes on the road to college. Chicago, IL: CCSR.

Stanley, P. (2008/2009). A road more easily traveled: Pathways programs smooth transition from school to work. Community College, 34-36.

Strawn, J. (2007). Policies to promote adult education and postsecondary alignment. New York, NY: Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy.

Willett, T., Hayward, C., & Dahlstrom, E. (2008). An early alert system for remediation needs of entering community college students: Leveraging the California standards test. Suite G Encinitas, CA: Cal-PASS.

 
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