DAVID CONLEY: DECONSTRUCTING COLLEGE READINESS

 In educational circles, phrases like “college readiness” and “Common Core State Standards” can be fighting words, inviting debate and dissention among educators, librarians, students, and parents.

Then there’s David Conley. His life’s work has been to research college readiness and related policy issues. For decades he’s asked, “What does it take to make students succeed in college?” A renowned policy analyst and researcher, David is Professor of educational policy and leadership at the University of Oregon and the CEO and CSO of the educational policy group, Educational Policy Improvement Center.

In October 2013 we interviewed David, asking him what it means to be college ready today, and how that definition will change in the coming years and decades. We also discussed his latest book, Getting Ready for College, Careers, and the Common Core (2013) and how he believes we can help students acquire the research skills they will need to navigate an increasingly crowded, complicated, and confusing web of information so they will succeed in college and in their careers.

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