College Readiness

How It Works

College readiness is a multidimensional concept that goes beyond test scores. The ACT defines college readiness benchmarks as the scores associated with a 50% probability of earning a B or higher in corresponding first-year college courses, for example, an ACT English score of 18 for college composition. The College Board defines SAT benchmarks similarly. Beyond test scores, college readiness includes completion of rigorous coursework (four years of English, three years of math through Algebra II, and laboratory sciences), critical thinking skills, time management, and self-directed learning habits. Only about 40% of high school graduates meet all ACT college readiness benchmarks across English, math, reading, and science. This readiness gap is even wider for students from low-income families and underrepresented minority groups. Schools that produce high rates of college-ready graduates typically feature strong academic cultures, extensive AP or dual enrollment offerings, dedicated college counseling, and support systems for struggling students. On OpenSchoolData, college readiness is reflected in the proficiency rate data and graduation rate data from EDFacts, which capture academic outcomes at the district level.

Related Terms

• Advanced Placement (AP), College-level courses offered in high schools through the College Board, allowing students to earn college credit by passing a standardized AP exam scored on a 1-5 scale.
• Graduation Rate, The percentage of students who earn a regular high school diploma within four years of entering ninth grade, calculated using the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) method required by federal law.
• Achievement Gap, Persistent differences in academic performance between student groups defined by race, ethnicity, income, disability status, or English proficiency, one of the most studied problems in American education.