Postsecondary Readiness is the attainment of the necessary knowledge, skills, and dispositions for a student to successfully transition to the next level of his or her educational career. All students with a G-code in Infinite Campus (IC) and grade 12 non-graduates are included in postsecondary readiness and are accountable based on the 100-day rule.
The Postsecondary Readiness Indicator is one of six state indicators included in Kentucky's Accountability System. To demonstrate postsecondary readiness, high school students must earn a regular or alternative high school diploma or be classified as a grade 12 non-graduate AND meet one type of readiness (Academic or Career).
For each state indicator, there are five Status Levels, ranging from very high to very low and five Change Levels, ranging from increased significantly to declined significantly. Indicator color ratings are based on the combination of Status and Change using a 5 X 5 table.
Senate Bill 59 (2022) requires that postsecondary readiness for each high school student, be measured by ONE of the following indicators that are intended to signal a student's readiness for the next step in their postsecondary plans, whether that be pursuit of college coursework and/or entry into the workforce:
Meeting or exceeding a college readiness benchmark score on the college admissions examination or a college placement examination approved by the CPE;
Achieving 3 hours of college credit or postsecondary articulated credit by completing a course approved by the KBE;
Achieving a benchmark score on an AP, IB, CAI, or other nationally recognized exam approved by the KBE that generally qualifies the student for 3 or more hours of college credit;
*Completing a required number of hours or achieving a benchmark within an apprenticeship, cooperative, or internship that is aligned with a credential or associate degree and approved by the KBE after receiving input from the LSAC; or
Achieving any industry-recognized certifications, licensures, or credentials, with more weight in accountability for industry-recognized certifications, licensures, or credentials identified as high demand.
*Currently under development and will become a measure in accountability once a number of hours are approved.
Academic Readiness
Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) Benchmarks on College Admissions or College Placement Exams
Assessments approved by the CPE and their corresponding benchmarks can be found here.
KDE-Approved Dual Credit
Pursuant to KRS 164.002, dual credit is defined as “a college-level course of study developed in accordance with KRS 164.098 in which a high school student receives credit from both the high school and postsecondary institution in which the student is enrolled upon completion of a single class or designated program of study". Eligible dual credit courses for “academic readiness" are approved annually by the KDE. Students must complete one (1) of the approved dual credit courses with a letter grade of “C" or higher in order to meet this indicator.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement or "AP" means a college-level course that incorporates all topics and instructional strategies specified by the College Board on its standard syllabus for a given subject area and is licensed by the College Board. Students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework may take the corresponding AP assessments. Those who earn a score of “3" or higher on at one (1) approved AP exam are considered “academic ready".
International Baccalaureate (IB)
International Baccalaureate or "IB" means the International Baccalaureate Organization's Diploma Programme, a comprehensive two (2) year program designed for highly motivated students. Students must earn a score of “5+" on one (1) approved IB exam.
Cambridge Advanced International (CAI)
The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma program is an international pre-university curriculum and examination system offered by Cambridge International Examinations at the University of Cambridge. Students must earn a score of “e" or higher on one (1) approved Cambridge exam.
Career Readiness
Industry Certification
KRS 158.6455 establishes a process by which valid industry certifications, licensures and credentials (link coming soon) shall be approved and utilized for statewide accountability pertaining to postsecondary readiness. Each year, the valid list is reviewed and approved by the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board (KWIB), in collaboration with local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) and the KDE.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) End-of-Program Assessments (for articulated credit)
The CTE End-of-Program Assessments have been state-developed since 1999 and are based upon standards identified by Kentucky employers, aligned with CTE career pathways and associated with statewide articulation agreements with a variety of postsecondary institutions. These assessments measure foundational academic, technical and employability skills and are taken by eligible students to measure the knowledge, skills and competencies attained through their career pathway coursework.
KDE-Approved Dual Credit
Pursuant to KRS 164.002, dual credit is defined as “a college-level course of study developed in accordance with KRS 164.098 in which a high school student receives credit from both the high school and postsecondary institution in which the student is enrolled upon completion of a single class or designated program of study". Eligible dual credit courses aligned to CTE career pathways for “career readiness" are approved annually by KDE. Students must complete one (1) of the approved CTE dual credit courses with a letter grade of “C" or higher in order to meet this indicator.
Apprenticeship Programs
The KDE's Tech Ready Apprentices for Careers in Kentucky (TRACK) youth/pre-apprenticeship program, regulated by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and the Kentucky Cabinet for Education and Workforce Development, is nationally recognized as a best practice youth apprenticeship model. The program affords CTE students with career pathway opportunities that are aligned to Registered Apprenticeship programs.
Work-Based Learning
Per 2023 Senate Bill 25, successfully completing a KBE-approved cooperative (co-op) or internship that is aligned with a credential or associate degree and which provides a minimum of 300 hours of on-the-job work experience is an indicator of postsecondary readiness in Kentucky's Accountability System. All co-ops and internships should adhere to the information in Kentucky's Work-Based Learning Manual and to 705 KAR 4:041, work-based learning program standards.
Alternate Assessment Options
Students participating in the alternate assessment program shall meet criteria based on academic or career alternate assessment requirements.