This document discusses college readiness for Kentucky high school graduates transitioning to the University of Kentucky (UK). It provides background information on UK, noting that it is one of nine universities in the US offering a wide range of studies. UK has the highest retention and graduation rates of public universities in Kentucky. The document indicates that students entering UK with a STEM major or those passing their first year courses with a C or better tend to be more successful. It also shares statistics on advanced placement credit earned by first year students. The stated goals are to introduce participants, discuss improving transition to college to increase STEM degree completion, and exchange information to plan future problem-solving events.

1. College Readiness and the SciencesA Conversation About Transitioning to UK

2. KY High School Grads in Transition: About UK One of 9 universities in the US to offer studies ranging from agriculture and art to engineering, law, medicine and pharmacy on a single campus Most comprehensive research university in KY Approx. 27,000 students, 70% undergraduate Fall ‘09 = 4,153 incoming first year students mid-50% range ACT composite scores 22-28 Outreach efforts in science education include KY P20 Innovation Labs, PIMSER, Farmer Institute

3. KY High School Grads in Transition: About UK “War on Attrition” resulted in retention rate over 80% for second year in a row Record high fall-to-spring retention rate of 94.5%, compared to previous high of 92.3% Excellence

4. KY High School Grads in Transition: About UK UK has highest retention/graduation rates of all public universities in KY Students who enter UK with a STEM major as their goal tend to succeed better overall Half of all students who do not complete their bachelor’s degree at UK leave in their first year

5. KY high school grads in transition: About UK UK students who pass all their classes with a C or above in their first year tend to have: High school GPAs of 3.5 and above AP course credits accepted toward graduation at UK Studied 10+ hours/week during their high school senior year Identified with being a good student Self-reported a “drive to achieve”

6. KY High School Grads in Transition: About UK Of the 4,111 first year students entering UK in Fall 2009, 1,267 or 31% earned college credit from successful Advanced Placement exams

7. KY High School Grads in Transition: Why We Are Here Today Goals: Introduce yourself to your colleagues and get to know each other Demonstrate understanding of state and federal emphasis on improving transition to college, especially to increase degree completion in STEM disciplines Begin exchanging information about teaching and learning expectations in science classrooms of Kentucky Plan future events that involve discussions for problem-solving transition issues