An Approach to Cheer

It’s a sad state of affairs when the fact that 63% of freshmen at Cal State Northridge need remedial help in math and 59% require assistance in English is something to celebrate. Although still higher than the Cal State average, the percentage of CSUN’s students requiring help to master the basics has dropped in recent years--in large part because of aggressive steps the university has taken to prepare incoming freshmen for the rigors of higher education. Failed in the past by their schools and by themselves, these students deserve--and should expect--better.

Statewide, 54% of freshmen enrolling at Cal State campuses are unprepared for college-level math and 47% were not ready for university English courses, prompting system administrators to launch an aggressive program to test high school juniors and beef up the skills of laggards. Already, CSUN administrators and faculty have begun to tackle the problem through a smart combination of carrots and sticks. Their efforts are worth watching.

Two years ago, the campus shortened the period in which it accepts applications--forcing potential students to think about college early and get organized. The school now accepts applications only in November, much like more prestigious public and private universities. The tighter application window narrows the field of applicants to more serious students. School administrators said these “early deciders” perform better in school. As successful as this solution may be, it only weeds out the less prepared students and shunts them elsewhere. It does not fix the problem.

To that end, CSUN tries to bolster performance of high school students by working with public schools to prepare lessons that more effectively teach the concepts required to understand and excel in college-level courses. In the short term, students can take remedial courses over the summer to bring their skills in line with Cal State requirements. Over the longer term, CSUN and other Cal State campuses are focusing on better teacher training to ensure that classroom leaders know not only the process of teaching but the substance of their subject as well. It helps few to have a home economics major trying to teach a high school math class.

To encourage students to do better, CSUN has invested in a scholarship program to attract freshmen who might otherwise opt for a more prestigious University of California campus. By creating a real financial incentive to attend CSUN, the school hopes to inspire students to push themselves and master the concepts critical not only to a successful college career but a more enriching life.

Combined, CSUN’s efforts represent the kind of aggressive tactics necessary to salvage kids whose academic preparation has been woeful at best. In the past, colleges and universities looked down at high schools and decried their problems--but did little to help solve them. Understanding that those problems soon become their problems, forward-thinking schools like CSUN are starting to respond. Despite the numbers, that is something to celebrate.