Report: More than 20,000 CSU freshmen lack math, English skills

Mercury News ^ | 3/13/07 | Lisa Krieger

[Aikonaa]

I wonder how they define proficiency? Being able to count to 10?

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Most of the students I work with are plenty intelligent, but they've never learned how to study. I spend probably the first three weeks of class teaching them how to study. By the second half of the class, I can give them an assignment that includes memorizing a full page chart and expect an average of 93 or so.

I wish I had you as a teacher way back when. Somehow -- despite my pathetic study skills -- I managed to squeak my way through a masters degree. But it weren't pretty.

[Paperdoll]

>Time to throw the NEA out of the public schools.<

Now there's an idea that should have been acted upon 40 years ago. The banishment of the Fed. Dept. of Ed. was one of R. Reagan's campaign promises which got him elected the first time, but one that was never fulfilled.

[Michael.SF.]

Having these guys go to a JC doesn't solve any problem,

I believe though that it does dramatically increase their chance of success when they do then go to the four year school.

[luckystarmom]

My daughter is special needs. She's only 10, but I'm already looking at college options for her. She's great at math, and way ahead in math. I'm good at math, and I know she'll have no problem with upper level math. She's already wanting to learn algebra, and I think she's ready for pre-algebra.

Her worst problem is speech problems from brain damage. Because of the speech problems, she has difficulty with writing, and her reading is slow and tedious.

I personally think she'd make a great accountant or a statistician because she loves numbers (and she likes money).

However, she will need to pass language arts classes in college. I keep on thinking that a junior college will be a good way for her to go. She could live at home and take the language arts classes. I can help her if she needs it, her speech therapist could help her, or other tutors could help her. After she passes those classes, she'll be ready for her major.

Plus, junior colleges tend to have smaller classes than a regular college. They also have lots of night classes which would be a good thing for my daughter in that she is a night owl.

[KosmicKitty]

I teach at both a community college and a small university

Students at both schools cannot write a halfway decent paper.

Many come out of High School having never written any kind of research paper, have no clue what a citation is, can't organize their ideas(if they have any). Each semester I struggle thru their term papers - believe me, it's not fun!!

[mewzilla]

Let's hear it for social promotion. Sigh.

[Mr.Unique]

CSU officials say there is no realistic likelihood of achieving the CSU Board of Trustees goal of 90 percent readiness in both subjects by fall 2007.

Sure there is. Don't accept applicants that don't meet standards.

[Labyrinthos]

More than 20,000 high school graduates annually enter the California State University system needing remedial work in English or math...

And that the's the problem: They shouldn't be entering the university system; they shouldn't be allowed to graduate from high school.

[Elsie]

We need to give the schools more money!!!!

[Elsie]

To better prepare high school students for college, the university system is collaborating with the state's high schools to ensure that college freshmen can move through the university faster, with a higher percentage earning college degrees.

The term 'Social Promotion' seems to be attracting lots of attention.

[Elsie]

Way past

Time to throw the NEA out of the public schools.

[Elsie]

How much of that came from the Federal teat?

NONE!

It ALL came out of our pockets!!!

[metmom]

ANOTHER REASON TO HOMESCHOOL

This ping list is for the "other" articles of interest to homeschoolers about education and public school. If you want on/off this list, please freepmail me. The main Homeschool Ping List by DaveLoneRanger handles the homeschool-specific articles.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that those who are literate will get ahead. Auto mechanics have told me that they're having a hard time getting help because so many people are too illiterate to even be able to read the service manuals.

[metmom]

And the illegals....

[Elsie]

How DARE you be so LOGICAL!!?

[Mr. Jeeves]

"California has an extensive JC system, if they are not ready for a four year college, let them go there."

That disrupts the grievance industry's plan, as follows:

Unqualified student goes to JC, flunks out after two semesters, no one has heard of the JC, no benefit to the unqualified, no cash contributions to the grievance industry.

Unqualified student goes to CSU, flunks out after two semesters, puts "Attended CSU" on his resume, gets hired by state government as if he were a graduate, makes cash contributions from his salary to the grievance industry.

It's all about the image - acceptance is equivalent to graduation.

[ican'tbelieveit]

I am in CA this morning and just saw a news clip where CSU wants to raise tuition rates, resulting in 90-94% increases in tuition in the last 5 years (probably need the money for the students this article is about, :-)).

It means that the public schools tuiton would be in the $7-8000 per year range. Lot of money.

[Logophile]

And if they were deficient, why were they admitted?

Indeed, why?

Upholding stricter admissions standards would accomplish two things. First, it would reduce the need for CSU to offer remedial instruction. Second, it would send a strong message to the high schools, the students, and their families that they need to do a better job.

[AD from SpringBay]

Do you know why Junior Colleges are doing so well? Because public high schools are not preparing students for college.