Southern California Public Radio, KPCC, 3/14/16
The California State University is now using incoming freshmen’s test scores on the state’s new standardized tests to decide if students are ready for college level math and English or if they need to take remedial classes. The new requirement is leading CSU officials to urge 11th graders to take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (Smarter Balanced) tests more seriously.
Based last year’s 11th grade Smarter Balanced scores, a large part of Cal State’s incoming class next fall will have to take some action this year to prove they’re ready for college work. Remediation – along with low graduation rates – became such a serious problem at Cal State campuses that Governor Jerry Brown used funding approval to compel the CSU to make improvements.