Oklahoma Initiatives
#1. Focus on College Readiness
Higher education and K-12 are working together to develop and implement strategies that focus on better preparing high school students for success in college. Activities include
strategic GEAR UP partnerships with school districts, targeting under-represented populations for concurrent enrollment, promoting math courses in the 12th grade, and
aligning math curriculum in high school and college-level courses.
#2. Transform Remediation
Oklahoma public higher education institutions are implementing programs to improve the effectiveness of remediation for students who are identified as unprepared for college-level
courses. Activities include better assessments, summer bridge and gateway programs,redesigned college-level courses that address student deficiencies without the need for a
remedial course, and redesigned developmental education that allows more students to become proficient in a shorter amount of time.
#3. Strengthen Pathways to College Certificates and Degrees
Our colleges and universities are implementing programs that create clear pathways to certificates and degrees, including creating multiple pathways based on groupings of majors,
reverse transfer between community colleges and universities, creation of meaningful certificates as part of another degree, proactive student advisement, implementing flat rate
tuition structures to encourage students to take 15 or more credit hours to decrease time-to-degree, and continuing cooperative agreement programs with technology centers
through assessments, contractual arrangements, and limited technical course transfer.
#4. Increase Adult Degree Completion
The Reach Higher FlexFinish and DirectComplete programs provide degree completion opportunities for adults who have some college credit, but have not completed an associate
or bachelor’s degree. The FlexFinish program offers flexible class options and enrollment to meet the needs of working adults pursuing a Reach Higher associate or bachelor’s
degree. Reach Higher DirectComplete, funded by a grant from Lumina Foundation and delivered in partnership with businesses, tribes, workforce agencies and nonprofits, offers
comprehensive services and support to adult students returning to pursue degree programs that lead to employment in Oklahoma’s critical occupations.
#5. Reward Performance
The State Regents adopted a performance-based funding formula providing incentives to institutions that increase their degree completion rates, in addition to other performance
factors.
