Preparing for University Study
Saul Motola of Bonita Vista High School
A Go-Getter
Nearing the end of his senior year at Bonita Vista High, Sual Motola has a full schedule. Besides acting as treasurer and president of a campus club, he has been taking a rigorous program of courses since his junior year, when two of his teachers suggested he enroll in the International Baccalaureate Program. If he does well on the exams in Advanced Placement government and English classes, he'll receive college credit. Ambitious and energetic, Saul is also busy preparing himself to take the CSU Entry Level Mathematics examination (ELM) and the English Placement Test (EPT) on May 1. Although he has already been accepted for fall 2004, he must take these exams before registering in any classes.
Examples of Student Learning Outcomes for College Readiness Programs
- Prospective UC/CSU students will take the necessary coursework that fulfills the UC/CSU "a-g" requirements for college admissions.
- Prospective UC/CSU students will take the California Standards Augmented Test for Intermediate Algebra or High School Mathematics in the spring semester of their junior year.
- Prospective UC/CSU students will take the California Standards Augmented Test for 11th grade English.
- High school students who participate in the California Standards Augmented Testing Program will complete UC/CSU high school math and English programs that prepare them for college studies.
Demonstrating Competency
All entering CSU students must take the ELM unless they have demonstrated proficiency in mathematics on the SAT, ACT, or Advanced Placement exams (see list below) prior to placement in appropriate university mathematics coursework. They can also be exempt from the ELM and EPT if they are assessed as ready for college under the Early Assessment Program for 11th grade students. Saul took these California Standards Augmented Tests the first time they were ever given in the spring 2003 and didn't qualify for the exempt status, even though his transcript showed he was taking more than the necessary coursework to prepare for college.
SDSU requires that first-time freshman applicants complete a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study that includes two years of social science, four years of English, three years of mathematics, two years of laboratory science, two years in the same foreign language, one year of visual/performing arts, and one year of electives. Saul has his work cut out for him!
Evaluating Student Achievement
- A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board SAT I Reasoning Test or on the College Board SAT II Mathematics Tests Level I, IC (Calculator), II or IIC (Calculator).
- A score of 23 or above on the American College Testing Mathematics Test.
- A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Mathematics examination (AB or BC) or Statistics examination.
Evaluating College Readiness Programs
- The informational and guidance efforts of the program are measured by increases in student participation and completion rates of CSU sponsored activities.
Making College Readiness Programs Better
- The program's director has a faculty and community advisory board that reviews programmatic accomplishments and suggests modification.
Click here for more information about College Readiness Programs.