Date & Time: Tuesday, October 06, 2026 at 2 p.m.
As high school GPAs continue to rise, educators and counselors face a critical challenge: determining whether the Class of 2027 is genuinely prepared for postsecondary success. According to ACT’s 2025 national profile data, only 20% of graduating high school seniors meet all four college-readiness benchmarks.
Preparing students for what comes next requires looking beyond grades alone to consider multiple indicators of academic readiness, as well as each student’s individual strengths and goals This session brings together educational leaders and guidance experts to analyze current readiness trends, examine how SAT/ACT benchmarks and AP pathways work together to build academic confidence, and share actionable frameworks for personalized advising that help students navigate toward institutions where they are truly ready to succeed.
Bonus: Attendees who join the live event will be able to participate in a ThoughtExchange workshop to share and rank best practices from their peers.
Key Takeaways:
- Addressing the Readiness Divide: Analyze national data showing only 1 in 5 graduating seniors meets key college-readiness benchmarks, and explore strategies to bridge this gap
- The Role of Standardized Metrics: Examine why SAT and ACT performance continues to serve as an essential metric for college preparation and admissions readiness
- Building Rigor Through AP Pathways: Discover how AP course completion and exam achievement build academic stamina and demonstrate college-level capability
- Guiding Students to Right-Fit Success: Learn frameworks for helping students align their personal strengths, academic profiles, and career ambitions with colleges where they are positioned to thrive
- Actionable Guidance & Advising Strategies: Walk away with concrete tools for counselors and school leaders to integrate test preparation, advanced coursework, and personalized pathfinding into standard student routines
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