On November 1, the CSU, East Bay Early Assessment Program (EAP) hosted its first High School Educators Reception.  The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for a number of regional superintendents, principals, and counselors to receive updates and information regarding the EAP program as well as the opportunity to meet and interact with CSUEB faculty and administration.  Dr. Carl Bellone, Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and Graduate Studies, participated as keynote speaker.  A panel was on hand to answer questions regarding the EAP program.  The panel was comprised of faculty from CSUEB and local high schools as well as staff from the CSU Chancellor’s Office.

Feedback to the event indicated the information was timely and very helpful.  Similar presentations will be made in local schools from Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to ensure students, their parents, staff and faculty are made aware of the many benefits associated with participating in the EAP program.  The EAP program provides juniors in high school early warning as to whether they have the skills to be successful in college and specially-designed curriculum that will help them get the skills they need. The CSU has been recognized by national news publications as one institution of higher education that is taking positive action to work with K-12 schools to address the remedial needs of high school graduates.

According to a recent press release from the Chancellor’s Office in Spring 2006, 134,000 (72 percent) of all eligible high school juniors took the mathematics EAP test with slightly more than 55 percent scored as proficient. Proficient is defined as being ready for college level mathematics. Approximately 15,000 more students volunteered to take the math test in 2006 than in 2005, resulting in a slight drop in proficiency (from 56 percent to 55 percent) due to the significant increase in the number of students electing to complete the voluntary test.

The strength of the EAP is that is provides those students who want to enter the California State University as first-time freshmen with an early indication whether they are ready to succeed at the college level, said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. If they show proficiency early via the EAP assessment they will be exempt from the CSU math and English placement tests upon their entry to a CSU campus. The students who are not ready for college level work can take classes in their senior year to improve and strengthen their skills.

Dr. Susan Magnone, Contra Costa County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent, converses with local high school administrators

CSU, East Bay’s Don Sawyer and Ronn Patton are joined by Dr. Naomi Williams, Alameda County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent

Jeff Gold, Academic Technology Director for the CSU Office of the Chancellor, joined panel members Dr. Denise Fleming, Dave Vasquez, Jeanette Smith, and Dr. Alison Warriner. Interim Dean Dr. Emily Brizendine speaks with Dr. Warriner (far right)