A need to align K-12 and Higher Education curriculum and assessment systems. K-12 standards and curriculum were developed without consensus of higher education and vice versa. Similarly, high stakes K-12 assessments are not valued by higher education. There is no standardized system of placement tests among higher education institutions. The value of remediation is misconstrued.
Remediation is a tool to assist students in becoming more academically successful.
There is a lack of meaningful data and communication between K-12 and Higher Education. Current K-12 assessment systems have an unbalanced focus towards technical competency, not critical analysis and reasoning skills. If current K-12 assessment systems measures technical competency and higher education measures critical analysis and thinking skills, then there will remain a disconnect between what is valued and taught at each level. Various factors impact student learning. Many variables that are not entirely within the control of school district impede the ability of students to learn rigorous standards.