Historically underserved groups, such as Black and Hispanic students attending high-poverty schools, made some of the biggest gains.

Appointed a decade ago, the education commissioner insists that when he has direct oversight, academic gains follow. His critics await better student outcomes.

When students explore possibilities on their own terms, counseling shifts from discussing basic options to building actionable postsecondary plans.

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 28, 2026 at 2 p.m. This session analyzes current readiness trends, examines how SAT/ACT benchmarks and AP pathways work together to build academic confidence, and shares actionable frameworks for personalized advising that help students navigate toward institutions where they are truly ready to succeed.