While most college and career readiness efforts have traditionally been focused on high school students, research shows that middle school is a critical time for students. Grades, attendance patterns, and engagement at the middle school level are among the strongest predictors of high school graduation and college going rates. According to ACT College Readiness research, the level of academic achievement that students attain by eighth grade has a larger impact on their college and career readiness by the time they graduate from high school than anything that happens academically in high school.

The Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education has identified three key standardized test measures that will be tracked to ensure that Smith County students are ready for high school and beyond: 7th grade Writing, 8th grade Math and Science, and 8th grade Reading and Social Studies. The goal is to raise the percentage that receive an Advanced Score for each, indicating that more students are well prepared for the next grade and are highly likely to be successful in that grade.

An action network will be launched in 2016 and will use the data as well as additional metrics to ensure a successful middle to high school transition for all students. This network will support the numerous efforts already underway in our schools that assist students and families in making informed plans about high school, college, and career.