Look no further if you have ever wondered how Washington compares to the rest of the nation regarding college and work readiness. The bi-partisan organization Achieve, whose goal is to help states raise academic standards and graduation requirements, has released a report titled, “Closing the Expectation Gap.” The report shows states’ progress on high school reform, particularly in the area of standards.

Mike Cohen, president of Achieve, stressed the significance of the report and said, “states must not only raise graduation requirements for students, but hold schools accountable for the same result. To prepare all students for postsecondary success, states and districts must also provide the curriculum, instructional tools and supports students and teachers need."

According to the report findings, Washington is on its way to making sure students are prepared for college and work—fingers crossed for CORE 24—but more work has to get done. This is how Washington stacks up.

1 of 23 states with college and work ready standards

1 of 21 states where a high school diploma signals a student is ready to succeed on-the-job or in college

1 of 10 states with college and work ready assessments, but only on a voluntary basis

1 of 23 states WITHOUT accountability for college and work readiness

Our students are counting on us to get to work.  As the State Board of Education revises our state accountability system, we hope it includes real measures of college and work readiness and holds schools and districts accountable for how well they prepare every student to succeed on-the-job or in a postsecondary program. These elements are key, not only to measuring student success, but for positioning Washington to optimally take advantage of the federal education stimulus program, which requires certain accountability criteria for states to receive federal dollars.