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Reading, Writing, and Mathematics College Readiness Focus Groups Report

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Reading, Writing, and Mathematics College Readiness Focus Groups Report

“Our nation is in a college-readiness crisis. Too few of our students are prepared to enter the workforce or postsecondary education without additional training or remediation when they graduate from high school.  And far too many have to take remedial courses as part of their postsecondary educations” (American College Testing 2004). One study at College of DuPage (C.O.D.) indicates that 50% of recent high school graduates new to the college in fall 2005 placed into at least one developmental-level course. The developmental education population at C.O.D. has been growing steadily in the last thirteen years as indicated by data from a C.O.D. Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP) study completed in March 2004.

In response to findings and recommendations from their Sept. 2005 White Paper, the ICCB/Tech Prep Task Force committee convened three concurrent focus groups on April 25, 2006, at College of DuPage: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics College Readiness. The purpose was to provide feedback about the academic preparation of students who are placed in developmental reading, writing, and mathematics courses at College of DuPage. The ICCB/Tech Prep Task Force committee developed questions that were provided to faculty one week ahead of holding the focus groups.

Thirty-five high school and community college faculty participated in the three focus groups and generated feedback in two ways: written responses and a round-table discussion. General and content-specific highlights from each focus group are attached.

Attached is a copy of the full Reading, Writing and Mathematics College Readiness Focus Groups Report, suggested readings, and additional information regarding other task force reports and white papers.

Reading, Writing, and Mathematics College Readiness Focus Groups Report (PDF file)

Appendices:
A. Reading Focus Group Artifact (PDF)

B. Mathematics Focus Group Artifact (PDF)

C. Sub-Committee Documents:

a. College Readiness Bibliography, Readings and Resources (PDF)
b. COMPASS Mathematics Test Diagnostic Results
c. Correlation of COMPASS Tests with the Illinois Learning Standards (PDF)
d. Guide to Placement Testing
e. Refresher Workshop Outline