Most Cal State Freshmen Not Math-Ready

More than half the freshmen who entered the California State University system last fall were unprepared for college-level math and 47% lacked the skills to handle college English courses, although they were among the top third of California’s high school graduates.

The new data released Tuesday show the highest numbers yet of freshmen in the 22-campus system who need remedial courses on subjects that they should have learned in high school.

Cal State officials attribute the rising numbers to improved efforts to round up Cal State-bound students and have them take assessment tests before they enroll in classes. Only 10% of Cal State students managed to elude the test in math this fall, and 11% the English test, compared to 22% and 24% who slipped through the cracks the previous year.

University officials expect the numbers to peak next year, as the system enforces the requirement that all entering freshmen take the assessment tests or show proficiency in math and English with sufficiently high SAT or Advanced Placement test scores.

The statistical snapshot was part of an annual progress report on implementing the Cal State Board of Trustees’ policy to reduce the university’s $10-million-a-year remedial education program.

The trustees initially wanted to phase out the program and simply deny admission to those who lacked college-level math and English skills. But they softened that position two years ago, agreeing to use the university’s faculty, staff and students to help reduce the number of those freshmen in need of remedial education to 10% by the year 2007.

University officials Tuesday also detailed ambitious plans to improve high schools by strengthening teacher training, setting higher standards for student achievement and sending legions of college students into the schools as mentors and tutors.

Cal State Long Beach, for instance, is sending hundreds of students into Long Beach high schools to help students prepare for the SAT in math and learning reading and writing skills, said President Robert C. Maxson.

University officials are working on an assessment test for 11th-graders, so that they receive remedial work in their senior year of high school rather than as college freshmen.

Charles B. Reed, Cal State’s new chancellor, stressed that the university needs to reach students before high school if it is going to significantly improve the performance of public school students.

“We need to get into the sixth and seventh grade,” Reed said. “I want to push as hard as I can on this.”

Reed, a national expert in teacher education, said another priority is strengthening teacher preparation. About 60% of California’s teachers are trained at Cal State campuses.

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Not Ready for College

The percentage of Cal State freshmen who failed their proficiency tests in 1997 climbed to all-time highs in both math and English. Not all students are tested; for example, some satisfy the requirement because of high SAT scores.

% Failing Test

1997

Math: 64%

English: 47%

Note: The failure rate in math proficiency jumped markedly in 1992 after the Cal State system added a third year of math--intermediate algebra--to its entrance requirements.

Source: California State University