New classes help students prepare for college entrance exams

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Maricela Cordova in News

Gaby Cordova

Managing Editor

Two new classes have been added to the school called Discrete Math (introduction to college math) and Expository Reading and Writing, to prepare students for entrance exams in college. Both classes are part of the California Partnerships Grant that gave the school $80,000 that will keep the classes going for three years.

“It will help the students become successful to go to college,” said Geoffrey Buck, math coordinator. According to the Cal State University system, 60% of students who take the entrance exam end up in remedial math or English, which does not count for college credit.

Many seniors decide not to take math and often forget what they have learned. The discrete math class will keep math nicely fresh in their mind to keep and ready to take the entrance exam. If they pass the class and Los Angeles City College’s final they will not have to take the entrance exam. Already both Discrete Math and Expository Reading and Writing students went to LACC to take a placement test to see where the stand and where they need the most help in.

If Expository Reading and Writing students pass the CSU Early Assessment Program, they would be allowed to enter college in English 101 at any California State University without taking the entrance exam. Last year, seniors took the EAP and only 23% of those students were ready for college English. In addition, the students taking the course have to take a separate English class to complete their senior project. “It helps students get help with their academic writing and reading,” said Viktorija Lacan, English Department chair. One issue with the EAP is that after students took the placement test at LACC, they did not receive their scores back. This makes it difficult for teachers to see where their students are place at and what they need to improve in.