Remedial issue to get public hearing

A remedial education public hearing is set for Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The Subcommittee on Remedial Education, several California State University Board of Trustees members and representatives from the Chancellor's Office are expected to attend, said Eric Mitchell, university affairs director for the California State Student Association.

The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until 12:30 p.m.

The remedial education policy changes were designed to ensure that students entering CSU already possess the basic skills needed for university study, said Peter Hoff, CSU senior vice chancellor of academic affairs.

Mitchell said that the CSSA does not support the elimination of remedial courses and that he encourages students to attend the remedial hearings.

CSSA officials said that the board proposes to eliminate remedial education courses by the year 2001 for students arriving directly from high school.

The meeting Friday, and three others scheduled in October and early November, is designed so that the board can consult with community colleges and other community groups that focus on education, Hoff said.

CSSA officials said the regional meetings are a way for students to voice their opinions and objections about the board's proposed policy changes, which could restrict access to about half of all incoming freshmen, Mitchell said. Mitchell said the board's proposal denies incoming freshmen the right to take remedial classes if they need it. He said the CSSA maintains that remedial education should be offered to anyone who needs it.

Hoff said the board is offering to hear opinions and objections from students and community groups before making their final decision in January.

"If students do not turn out in large numbers, the trustees will have reason to ignore the objections and pass the policy without any changes," Mitchell said.

Other hearings are scheduled in the San Francisco bay area and Sacramento during October and in Fresno on Nov. 3.

The first of the five hearings was in San Diego on Sept. 21.