1. The CSU Early Assessment Program

2. Once upon a time, in a college not too far away….

3. Freshmen Mike and Janie were taking an Algebra class that they really should have mastered in high school

4. The class cost $290, didn’t give them ANY units toward their Baccalaureate degrees… …AND was pretty much a repetition of what they had already had in high school.

5. In another lecture hall across campus, two other freshmen, Kim and Brian, were stuck in an English class that was costing good money, but not going toward their college degrees.

6. Mike, Janie, Kim and Brian are all bright students who did well enough in high school and on their SATs to get them into a 4-year college. But they did not pass the college placement tests in English and math, so were forced to take remedial classes in college.

7. These freshmen represent about 50% of freshmen who attend a California State University… And they represent about 70% of those who attend Community College after high school.

8. WHAT’S GOING ON? Why are so many students who go to college NOT prepared for college level work?

9. Could it be that students need the information about how prepared they are earlier in their high school career?

10. The California State University (CSU) system has designed a tool whereby high school JUNIORS can assess whether they are prepared for college. The thinking is that…

11. ….if students know they are not ready early on, then they can try to GET more prepared during their senior year. And here’s a bit of information that may interest you…

12. Research has shown that those students who have to take remedial classes are less likely to finish college than those who start in on regular college courses.

13. So here’s the tool… The California State University Early Assessment Program Preparing Students for College-Level English and Mathematics

14. High school juniors can take this college-ready assessment the SAME time they take the STAR test. It’s actually ON the test!

15. There are 15 extra questions in math and 15 extra questions in English (English also includes an essay you take earlier)

16. At the end of your math and English test, you will see a little symbol that says “CSU.” _______________________ Fill in the bubble that asks whether you want these scores released to CSUs, and then simply take the 15 extra questions.

17. When you receive scores back in the summer, you will find out whether you’re ready for college. (Early Assessment scores will be on the same STAR score letter mailed to your home)

18. If you ARE ready, you are automatically EXEMPT from taking the placement test if you go to a CSU. You get to start right in on college-level courses! ____________________________ If you are NOT ready, talk to your counselor as soon as school starts in the fall.

19. There are several things you can do to prepare for college during your senior year.

20. If you are NOT prepared, you will want to consider: taking that extra year of math taking a different kind of English course increasing the time you spend on reading and writing taking an online math course taking English and math practice tests getting one-on-one tutoring

21. California is the ONLY state that offers this FREE college-readiness assessment. Don’t miss this opportunity to find out if you’re prepared for college-level work!

22. Oh yea… Mike, Janie, Kim and Brian ended up obtaining their college degrees and living happily ever after… Of course…