HOW WELL IS MICHIGAN
PREPARING ALL
STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE,
CAREERS AND LIFE
Why College- and Career-Ready
Expectations for All?
A high school diploma is no longer enough; now, nearly every good
job requires some education beyond high school – such as an
associates or bachelors degree, certificate, license, or completion of
an apprenticeship or significant on-the-job training.
Currently, far too many students drop out or graduate from high
school without the knowledge and skills required for success,
closing doors and limiting their post-high school options and
opportunities.
The best way to prepare students for life after high school is to align
K-12 and postsecondary expectations. All students deserve a worldclass education that prepares them for college, careers and life.
2
A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IS NO
LONGER ENOUGH FOR SUCCESS
The changing economy is accelerating the
expectations gap, as careers increasingly require
some education/training beyond high school,
and more developed knowledge and skills.
Jobs in Today’s Workforce Require More
Education & Training
Source: Carnevale, Anthony P. and Donna M. Desrochers, Standards for What? The
Economic Roots of K–16 Reform, Educational Testing Service, 2003.
4
The Rise of the Middle-Skill Jobs
High-skill jobs
Occupations in the professional/ technical and managerial categories.
Often require four-year degrees and above
Middle-skill jobs
Occupations that include clerical, sales, construction, installation/repair,
production, and transportation/material moving.
Low-skill jobs
Occupations in the service and agricultural categories.
Often require some education and training beyond high school (but
typically less than a bachelor’s degree), including associate’s degrees,
vocational certificates, significant on-the-job training.
Source: The Future of Middle-Skill Jobs” by Harry J. Holzer and Robert I. Lerman, Brookings
Institution, February 2009.
5
Employment Shares by Occupational Skill
Level, 2006
Source: The Future of Middle-Skill Jobs” by Harry J. Holzer and Robert I. Lerman, Brookings
Institution, February 2009.
6
Demand for Middle-Skill Workers Outpaces
Michigan's Supply
 In 1950, 60% of jobs were classified as unskilled, attainable by young
people with high school diplomas or less. Today, less than 20% of jobs
are considered to be unskilled.
 One result: The demand for middle- and high-skilled workers is
outpacing the state’s supply of workers educated and experienced at
that level.
80% of Michigan’s jobs are middle- or high-skill (jobs that require some
postsecondary education or training).
Yet only 36% of Michigan adults have some postsecondary degree
(associate’s or higher).
Sources: Carnevale, Anthony P. and Donna Desrochers (2003). “Standards for What? The Economic Roots of K-12 Reform,” Education
Testing Services. http://www.learndoearn.org/For-Educators/Standards-for-What.pdf; Skills to Compete. http://www.skills2compete.org;
Measuring Up (2008), “The National Report Card on Higher Education. “ http://measuringup2008.highereducation.org/index.php
7
The Rise of the Middle-Skill Jobs
Michigan should be preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow, not
the jobs of yesterday – or even today.
A quarter of American workers are now in jobs not even listed in the
Census Bureau’s occupation codes in 1967.
Given the growth of new job sectors – most notably “green jobs” – it is
common sense to provide all students with a strong foundation that keeps
all doors open and all opportunities available in the future.
Source: Milano, Jessica, Bruce Reed & Paul Weinstein Jr. (Sept 2009). A Matter of Degrees:
Tomorrow’s Fastest Growing Jobs and Why Community College Graduates Will Get Them. The
New Democratic Leadership Council
8
Michigan’s Middle-Skill Jobs
Occupation
Median
Income
(2007)
% By Education Level
(ages 25-44), 2007
Number of Total Jobs
(in thousands)
High School
Some College
2006
2016
% Change
Computer Support
Specialists
$42,300
13%
44%
15.1
16.6
10%
Electrical &
Electronic
Engineering
Technicians
$50,000
7%
68%
4.2
4.6
10%
Radiologic
Technicians &
Technologists
$48,800
7%
68%
6.2
6.8
10%
First-line Supervisors
/ Managers of
Construction Trades
$61,500
60%
30%
14.0
14.8
6%
Registered Nurses
$59,800
1%
43%
84.4
100.5
19%
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org
9
America’s International Edge is Slipping
Michigan
U.S.
Canada
Japan
Korea
Israel
Norway
Ireland
Belgium
Denmark
Spain
France
U.K.
0
10
20
% Young Adults (25-34) with College Degree
30
40
50
60
% Adults (25-64) with College Degree
Source: OECD, “Education at a Glance,” 2007 (All rates are self-reported)
10
America’s International Edge is Slipping
% of Citizens with Postsecondary Degrees Among OECD Countries, by Age Group (2006)
55-64
45-54
35-44
25-34
ALL (25-64)
1
U.S. (38%)
Canada (43%)
Canada (51%)
Canada (55%)
Canada (47%)
2
Canada (37%)
U.S. (40%)
Japan (46%)
Japan (54%)
Japan (40%)
3
N.Z. (30%)
Japan (39%)
Finland (41%)
Korea (53%)
U.S. (39%)
4
Denmark (28%)
N.Z. (38%)
U.S. (41%)
N.Z. (44%)
N.Z. (38%)
5
Finland (27%)
Finland (34%)
N.Z. (39%)
Ireland (42%)
Finland (35%)
6
Australia (26%)
Denmark (33%)
Korea (37%)
Belgium (42%)
Denmark (35%)
7
Sweden (25%)
Australia (32%)
Denmark (36%)
Norway (42%)
Australia (33%)
8
Norway (25%)
Norway (30%)
Belgium (35%)
France (41%)
Korea (33%)
9
Neth. (25%)
Neth. (30%)
Norway (35%)
Denmark (41%)
Norway (33%)
10
U.K. (24%)
Switz. (29%)
Iceland (34%)
U.S. (39%)
Belgium (32%)
11
Switz. (24%)
Iceland (29%)
Australia (33%)
Spain (39%)
Ireland (31%)
12
Japan (23%)
U.K. (29%)
Switz. (33%)
Sweden (39%)
Sweden (31%)
13
Germany (23%)
Sweden (29%)
Ireland (33%)
Australia (39%)
U.K. (30%)
14
Belgium (22%)
Belgium (27%)
Spain (31%)
Finland (38%)
Neth. (30%)
15
Iceland (21%)
Germany (25%)
U.K. (31%)
U.K. (37%)
Switz. (30%)
Michigan (38%)
Michigan (35%)
Michigan (36%)
Michigan (35%)
Source: OECD Education at a Glance, 2007; National Center for Higher Education Management
Systems analysis of 2007 American Community Survey. http://www.higheredinfo.org
11
FAR TOO MANY STUDENTS DROP
OUT OR GRADUATE FROM HIGH
SCHOOL UNPREPARED FOR REAL
WORLD CHALLENGES
Of Every 100 9th Graders in Michigan…
100
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
67
44
28
18
9th Graders
Graduate
High School
in 4 Years
Enroll in
College In
the Fall
Still Enrolled
Sophomore
Year
Earn a
College
Degree
Source: NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis. Student Pipeline - Transition and
Completion Rates from 9th Grade to College.
www.higheredinfo.org/dbrowser/index.php?submeasure=119&year=2006&level=nation&mode=data&state=0
13
Achievement Remains Low: 8th Grade
Achievement Over Time
% at or Above Proficient on 8th Grade NAEP
8th Grade Math
1992
2009
Michigan
19%
31%
U.S.
21%
32%
1998
2009
n/a
31%
33%
30%
1996
2005
Michigan
32%
35%
U.S.
29%
29%
8th Grade Reading
Michigan
U.S.
8th Grade Science
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress. Analysis of data downloaded from
www.nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/nde/
14
And Gaps Persist: Michigan’s 8th Grade
Achievement Gap
% at or Above Proficient on 8th Grade NAEP
Subgroup
8th Grade Math
(2009)
8th Grade
8th Grade Science
Reading (2009)
(2005)
All Students
31%
31%
35%
White
37%
36%
43%
Black
5%
9%
8%
Hispanic
17%
26%
11%
Asian
59%
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Native American
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress. Analysis of data downloaded from
www.nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/nde/
15
Graduation Rates Remain Inequitable
79%
76%
69%
76%
77%
70%
50%
55%
51%
80%
49%
60%
44%
40%
38%
20%
0%
All
White
Black
Hispanic
Asian
Source: Education Week, Education Counts. Developed through the Custom Table Builder,
http://www.edweek.org/rc/2007/06/07/edcounts.html
American
Indian
16
America’s International Edge is Slipping
Michigan
U.S.
Korea
Norway
Japan
Canada
Israel
Denmark
Germany
Netherlands
Ireland
U.K.
Iceland
0
20
40
% Young Adults (25-34) with HS Diploma+
60
80
100
% Adults (25-64) with HS Diploma+
Source: OECD, “Education at a Glance,” 2007 (All rates are self-reported)
17
Enrollment in College Does NOT Equal
College Readiness
Percentage of U.S. first-year students in two-year and four-year
institutions requiring remediation
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Remedial Education at Degree-Granting
Postsecondary Institutions in Fall 2000, 2003.
18
Freshmen at Two-Year Colleges are More
Likely to Require Remediation
42%
50%
40%
34%
23%
24%
19%
30%
20%
13%
8%
6%
10%
0%
Math
Writing
2-Year Colleges
Reading
Reading, Writing
or Math
4-Year Colleges
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Remedial Education at Degree-Granting
Postsecondary Institutions in Fall 2000, 2003.
19
Most U.S. College Students Who Take
Remedial Courses Fail to Earn Degrees
Percentage earning degree by type of remedial coursework
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, The Condition of Education, 2004:
% of 1992 12th graders who entered postsecondary education.
20
Enrollment in College Does NOT Equal
College Readiness
An estimated 33% of Michigan’s first-year
students at two- and four-year institutions
require remediation.
Source: Green, Jay. P. (Sept 2000). The Makcinac Center, The Cost of Remedial Education: How Much Michigan
21
Pays When Students Fail to Learn Basic Skills. http://www.mackinac.org/archives/2000/s2000-05.pdf
How Many College Students Return Their
Sophomore Year – and Go On To Earn
Degrees?
76%
74%
80%
56%
53%
55%
60%
49%
40%
20%
0%
Persistence (2Year)
Persistence (4Year)
Completion (4-Year)
Source: Measuring Up (2008). The National Report Card on Higher Education.
http://measuringup2008.highereducation.org/index.php; National Center for Education Statistics
(2003), Remedial Education at Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions in Fall 2000.
22
Many College Students in Michigan
Fail to Earn a Degree
Percent of students earning a bachelors’
degree within six years, 2006
Source: NCES, IPEDS Graduation Rate Survey, analyzed by National Center for Management of
Higher Education Systems.
23
The Majority of Graduates Would Have Taken
Harder Courses, Particularly in Mathematics
Knowing what you know today about the expectations of college/work …
Would have taken
more challenging
courses in at least
one area
Math
Science
English
Source: Peter D. Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies. (2005) Rising to the
Challenge: Are High School Graduates Prepared for College and Work? Washington, DC:
Achieve.
24
A MORE RIGOROUS & RELEVANT
HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION WILL
OPEN DOORS FOR STUDENTS –
AND KEEP THEM OPEN
Personal Benefits of Education in Michigan
While there may be jobs available to high school drop outs and
graduates, they often pay less and offer less security than jobs
held by those with at least some postsecondary experience.
The link between educational attainment and gainful employment
is clear:
More education is associated with higher
earnings and higher rates of employment.
26
Personal Benefits of Education in Michigan
UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE
LEVEL OF
EDUCATION
MEAN
INCOME
8%
TOTAL
$42,316
19%
HS Dropout
$14,910
10%
HS Graduate
$31,683
7%
Some College
$37,418
4%
Bachelor’s & Above
$67,453
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2008). “Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic
Supplement.” Figures are based on total person within the civilian labor force
27
The Importance of Rigorous Course-Taking
in Closing Gaps
Students who take challenging courses and meet high standards are
much more likely to enter college ready to succeed.
87% of first-generation college-going students – who took a highly rigorous
course of study in high school – persisted in college or earned a degree after
18 months.
Only 55% of first-generation students who took just a general curriculum
persisted that long.
High school students who take advanced math double their chances of
earning a postsecondary degree:
59% of low-income students who took advanced math in high school earned
a bachelor’s degree.
36% of low-income students who did not complete the rigorous high school
course of study earned a bachelor’s degree.
Source: Horn, L. and A.M. Nuñez (2000). Mapping the Road to College: First-generation Students' Math Track, Planning
Strategies, and Context of Support. U.S. Department of Education. http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2001/2001153.pdf; Adelman, C.
(2006). The Toolbox Revisited: Paths to Degree Completion from High School through College. U.S. Department of Education.
28
8th Graders Taking Algebra I
Source: Measuring Up, 2008:NCES, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
2003, 2005 Mathematics Assessments.
29
Students Participating in Advanced
Placement
Percent of all 11th/12th Graders Participating in
Advanced Placement (2008)
Source: College Board, “National Summary Reports, 2008.”
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/exgrd_sum/2008.html
30
Michigan’s Students Taking College
Admissions Exams
2009
Michigan
U.S.
Participation in ACT
100%
45%
Average ACT Score
19.6
21.1
Participation in SAT
5%
46%
Average SAT Score
1762
1509
Source: ACT (2009), ACT 2009 Results. http://www.act.org/news/data/09/states.html; College Board, Mean SAT Critical
Reading, Mathematics and Writing Scores by State. http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/cbs-2009-Table3_Mean-SAT-CR-MATH-and-Writing-Scores-by-State.pdf
31
THE SOLUTION:
STATE-LED EFFORTS TO CLOSE
THE EXPECTATIONS GAP
All students deserve a world-class education that
prepares them for college, careers and life.
The College- and Career-Ready Agenda
Align high school standards with the demands of college
and careers.
Require students to take a college- and career-ready
curriculum to earn a high school diploma.
Build college-and career-ready measures into statewide
high school assessment systems.
Develop reporting and accountability systems that
promote college and career readiness.
33
Michigan’s Commitment to Closing the
Expectations Gap
In 2006 Michigan adopted college- and career-ready graduation
requirements
In 2006 Michigan also aligned its high school academic standards
with college- and career-ready expectations
Michigan requires all students to take the ACT, along with
sections of WorkKeys and state-developed tests, as part of its
high school assessment system, the Michigan Merit Exam
Michigan’s longitudinal data system satisfies seven out of the
Data Quality Campaign’s ten essential elements
34
HOW WELL IS MICHIGAN
PREPARING ALL
STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE,
CAREERS AND LIFE