Just 22 percent of California's 11th- graders are prepared to take college English, while 55 percent have the skills needed to tackle college math, according to a report released Wednesday.

The students involved all volunteered for a pilot test, administered through a partnership between the California State University system and California's K-12 public schools. The test was an extended version of the California Standards Test, the statewide assessment given annually to all second- through 11th-graders.

Nearly 40 percent of 11th-grade students this spring volunteered to take the exam, which will now be given each year.

Charles B. Reed, chancellor of the California State University system, said the percentage of juniors ready for college were about what was expected from this first year of testing.

"Given that students have another year of high school remaining, there is time for those who are not ready to develop the skills they need,' he said.

More than 150,000 students took the test in English and 115,000 in mathematics. Among those tested in English, 33,720 students, or 22 percent, were classified as ready to take English courses at the college level and are exempt from taking the CSU English Placement Test after admission.

In mathematics, 63,504 students, or 55 percent of those tested, scored high enough to take college level mathematics.

CSU Trustee Roberta Achtenberg, chair of the Trustee's Educational Policy Committee, said the university was thrilled by the student participation level.

"Students should interpret their test results as a signal. Those doing well on the tests should be mentored to continue on to college, and those not performing yet at college readiness level should be encouraged to work harder in their senior year to improve their English or mathematics skills,' Achtenberg said.

Early notification of high school juniors regarding their readiness for college is the first step in a comprehensive effort by the CSU, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, and the state Board of Education to smooth the transition between high school and college and better prepare all students to do college-level work.

Education officials anticipate that English and math proficiency of CSU first-time freshmen will rise as a result of early intervention in high school.

The CSU Board of Trustees policy is to reduce the need for remediation of incoming freshmen to 10 percent within the next three years. Currently more than half are in need of remedial courses.