Teacher professional development (12th grade)
The first component (early assessment of college readiness) consists of EAP college readiness exams that are administered during the spring semester of the eleventh grade as part of the required California Standards Tests (CSTs). These exams include the following:
- Early Assessment of Readiness for College English (15 additional items and an essay)
- Early Assessment of Readiness for College Mathematics (15 additional items)
Spring 2005 EAP Administration
Results of the EAP college readiness assessments were released to school district testing coordinators statewide by August 15. Preliminary results indicate that there were more eleventh graders in spring 2005 than in spring 2004 who had completed the A-G mathematics sequence, and consequently a larger number of these students who sat for the Early Assessment in mathematics. In the area of English language arts there is a strong indication that over 190,000 eleventh graders sat for this test - a possible spring 2005 interest level of 46%, compared with 40% in spring 2004.
Students who took these tests may receive exemptions from CSU placement tests in English language arts and/or mathematics enabling them to enroll in college-level coursework without having to take remedial classes. Students who have not received these exemptions must take a more serious approach to their senior year coursework. In both cases, students will enter a university better prepared for their collegiate studies. High school counselors are encouraged to visit the Early Assessment Program website at www.calstate.edu/eap, and to work closely with students who are interested in participating in this exciting program.
Professional Development
Numerous professional development opportunities have been organized and will continue throughout the year for high school mathematics and English teachers. These include Leadership Conferences for the 12th Grade Expository Reading and Writing Course, Mathematics Professional Development for High School Teachers, RIAP Workshops, ALEKS workshop (fall 2005), the California K-16 Partnerships & Student Success Conference, etc.
CSU College Readiness Tools
The links below include online tools to help high school students prepare for college level coursework at the CSU:
Early Assessment Program Home Page:
Math Success Website:
English Success Website:
ALEKS ELM Tutorial:
Diagnostic Writing Service:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
CSUMentor
CSU Lower Division Transfer Pattern by Major (LDTP)
The CSU campuses and Chancellor's Office are working in many areas to develop the Lower Division Transfer Pattern by major (LDTP) for California Community College (CCC) students to prepare for majors at the CSU.
Senate Bill 1785, passed in 2004, ensures that CCC students who wish to earn a baccalaureate degree at CSU are provided with a clear and effective path to that degree for the most high demand degree major programs. The LDTP recognizes that students and their counselors need to know what courses should be completed at the CCC campus prior to transfer to be best prepared for upper division coursework in a particular major.
The development of the program is a collaborate effort and uses legislation, policies, and programs that have already been proven successful and well as new practices to help students prepare for upper division coursework.
The LDTP consists of both statewide standards - generally 45 transferable semester units and campus-specific requirements, generally 15 transferable units. The number of units is specific to the major and depends on major and graduation requirements established by the CSU campus.
The program contains historic elements for the CSU:
- CSU faculty, in consultation with CCC faculty representatives, have defined the most efficient lower division course pattern to prepare for high-demand majors;
- For most majors, CSU faculty agreed on at least 45 lower division semester units that should be completed prior to transfer regardless of the campus the student plans to attend. This gives students an opportunity to take courses that are required by all campuses before deciding which specific campus the student wishes to attend;
- CSU campuses are defining campus-specific coursework to ensure students are most qualified and prepared for their upper division major coursework.
The program also reinforces current legislation and standards:
- California Education Code 66202 states that CCC students who have completed an approved transfer plan be afforded the highest priority for admission. The LDTP is one approved transfer plan for CCC students.
- The requirements incorporate current admission requirements, even for those majors that have higher admission requirements due to their high demand.
- LDTP continues to be an OPTIONAL admission program. Those students who meet regular admission standards are still eligible for admission to campuses. Students applying to high demand ("impacted") majors must meet impaction criteria that are published annually.
Next Steps
- The CSU campuses are completing their campus-specific requirements for the thirty two majors. Results will be posted on ASSIST, CSUMentor, and the LDTP's home website at http://www.calstate.edu/AcadAff/ldtp.shtml.
- The CSU is working with CSU campus and CCC staff to develop the display of the various LDTPs for students and their counselors' use.
- The CSU is working with ASSIST and CSUMentor's vendor, Xap Corporation to develop the technical specifications for articulation of CCC coursework.
- A new course number identification system is being developed.
- CSU is collaborating with campus and CCC staff to develop the student planner where students can track their success in meeting LDTP requirements
- CSU faculty, in consultation with CCC faculty, will begin to expand the CAN course descriptors for LDTP articulation of coursework.
- CSU campus staff will be meeting to explore ways to manage the LDTP.
- CSU will begin the LDTP process for additional majors, beginning fall 2006.
CSU is committed to ensuring transfer students are provided a clear path for preparation for majors.
