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	Vol.7, No 50, November 24, 1999
	CSU report shows progress By Christine Rhee Daily Forty-Niner First-year college students who completed remedial courses are becoming more proficient in English and mathematics prior to their sophomore year, according to a report released by the California State University Board of Trustees last week. More than 79 percent of incoming fall 1998 freshmen showed readiness in these areas, according to Ken Swisher, CSU spokesman. "We have asked students to take the courses much more seriously and they have," he said. Out of 19,237 incoming freshman students who need remedial education, 15,240 students got the assistance they needed, Swisher said. In 1995, data showed 39.8 percent of freshmen were ready for a college-level English compared to 53.1 percent in 1998.  In 1995, 32.6 percent students were proficient in math, but by 1998, 46.4 percent students showed readiness by EPT and ELM tests. "The trend is going in the right direction," said Armando Contreras, an executive assistant to Cal State Long Beach President Robert Maxson. However, Contreras stated that not allowing students to enroll at CSULB is the last option the university would take. "We need to improve and reduce the need of freshmen remedial by making classes available, by counseling, and advising," he said. To prepare students for math and English proficiency, the CSU allocated $9 million to high school campuses so they could provide necessary courses, tutorial services by college students and more diagnostic tests, Swisher said. "We just want to make sure they're getting the help they need for college level work and if it doesn't help, we want them to get the assistance they need in their first year at CSU," Swisher said. In addition, many CSU campuses have increased the number of remedial courses incoming students need to take before and after their freshman year. Students are not allowed to enroll at a university until they satisfy the necessary requirements from junior colleges and complete the remedial courses, Swisher said. "The whole idea is for students to get ready for college," he said. CSULB professor David Gau agrees and said he believes students should be prepared for college classes before they attend a university. "There are students who did not have a good mathematical background in high school and decided not to take math in their senior year," Gau said. Remedial courses in mathematics offered by CSULB are Elementary Algebra and Geometry, and Intermediate Algebra. Remedial classes in English include Intensive Writing Skills and Composition.		Unwed couples to get benefits   CSU report shows progress   Return of American-Indian remains one step closer   Student strikes it rich Double- sided racism   Desert road trip relieves stress   LETTER TO THE EDITOR Model graduate   Play more corn than comedy Many candidates but only one gets roasted Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.