Earlier this month, the Cal State University Chancellor announced something huge. He issued anexecutive order that will radically change what’s known as “remedial” education.
Right now nearly 40 percent of incoming Cal State students bomb out on placement tests that are supposed to measure their written communication and math skills. So instead of starting out in English and Math classes that count towards graduation, they’re steered into remedial non-credit courses. But those are backfiring for plenty of students. They get stuck there. They get discouraged. They drop out. Chancellor Timothy White’s order tells the 23 Cal State campuses to get rid of those placement tests and change up the coursework so students can start earning credits right away. KALW's Education Lee Romney is here to explain.
Click the audio player above to hear the full story.
The California legislature is currently considering a bill that would enact a similar policy for the state's community college system. Read about that here.