More students ready for college

By Katie Pecci
The Collegian

California 11th-graders are showing increased readiness for college-level English and mathematics based on the California State University’s Early Assessment Program, which could mean fewer first-time freshmen would need remedial courses.

In early 2005, 46 percent of 11th-graders volunteered to take the English EAP and 69 percent took the mathematics part to test whether or not they were prepared to go straight to a California State University after graduating from high school.

This is a 21 percent increase for the English portion and a three percent increase for math, the California State University’s Office of the Chancellor said last Tuesday.

“We are really happy that there are more students who are interested in taking the test and finding out if they are ready for college,” said Colleen Bentley-Adler, CSU director of public affairs.

The increase in high school students taking the test indicates a higher interest in attending college and helps the students decide if they can go straight to a CSU or should try community college first, Bentley-Adler said.

The EAP is a larger version of the California Standards Test (CST) and was created by the CSU system in partnership with the State Board of Education and the state’s public school system. The test includes more math and English questions than the CST and also includes a written essay. Students are required to pass the CST before graduating from high school, the chancellor’s office said.

“The strength of this program lies in providing those students who want to enter the California State University as first-time freshmen with an early signal as to their readiness to succeed in regular general education classes,” said CSU Chancellor Charles Reed.

“If they show proficiency early via the EAP assessment, at the close of 11th-grade, they will be granted an exemption from the CSU English and mathematics placement tests. If they are not yet ready for college-level work, students will be encouraged to take classes during the 12th grade to improve and strengthen their skills.”

Thirty-four percent of incoming freshmen needed to take remedial courses in math and 47 percent needed to take remedial English in 2004. The CSU’s standards for math are higher than other public universities in the United States and the standards for English are very similar, the chancellor’s office said.

“Since our standards are higher here at the CSU, if students are proficient with the EAP then they know they will be more than qualified for any other university they choose in America,” Bentley-Adler said.

If students take the EAP in 11th grade, the results will help students and teachers make the choices for 12th grade courses that can further their preparation for college-level math and English.

The EAP is also helping high school teachers tailor their courses to comply with the CSU’s expectations for first-time freshmen, the chancellor’s office said.

“We want to make sure that students are getting the right instruction now, before they go to college, so when they get here they can go right into regular courses without having the remedial courses weigh them down,” Bentley-Adler said.

Chancellor Reed said he is hoping the 2005 test scores are a sign of increased enrollment and the production of better-prepared students for the CSU.

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