Ms. Pecora's Other Office: math

Some interesting information we found out recently about CUNY Assessment Tests, specifically the College of Staten Island.

Starting in Fall 2014, there will be strict enforcement of the CUNY Remediation Policy

Students could be dismissed from the college if they do not achieve mastery of the Math, Reading, and Writing assessments within the year.

Students can avoid taking the CUNY COMPASS assessments and subsequent remediation by achieving the minimum requirements for each area.

Passing Regent scores are required in Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry with 80% mastery in ONE of those Regents OR a score of 500 on the Math SAT. Students must also successfully pass Trig or a third year of a higher level math to opt out of the COMPASS assessment. All entering students are still required to take a math placement exam. Reading and writing mastery can be proven with a score of 75% on the ELA Regents or a score of 480 on the Verbal SAT. Students can retake Regents exams for these scores until June of their senior year in order to avoid the remedial classes.

CUNY assessment formats are different than tests students are used to

The math assessment is computerized and will not allow a student to return to a question once it is presented and answered. If the student's answer is correct, the computer program will present a more difficult example or a new topic. If the student's answer is incorrect, the computer will present a less difficult version of that example or topic. On the computerized Reading exam, once a question is answered students may only return to a question if it is based on the same reading passage.

Importance of the CSI Compass Prep Workshops

After a student is accepted to CSI, they will receive an invitation to attend a six hour on-campus workshop for each subject area (Math, Reading and/or Writing) in which they did not reach minimum Regents score. They get an opportunity to review the test format and complete sample questions. Students that attend have a much higher success rate.

Remedial track options for students who have not passed the assessments

If a student does need meet Regents requirements and subsequently does not pass the COMPASS assessment exams, will be offered a free SUMMER IMMERSION program and re-take the exams. If they do not meet minimum requirements again, they are offered other options:

If they fail more than one assessment, they will be enrolled in CUNY Start: an intensive 12-16 week remedial program that teaches test-taking, college readiness skills, and prep for the assessments. This program will be in place of matriculation and their first semester will be delayed. This program is a flat fee of $75 and has a better success rate than CUNY Remedial courses.
If they fail one assessment, they will be enrolled in a CUNY remedial course for that subject. This course is the same cost as a credit-bearing class (~$1,100), but gives the student 0 credits. The student will re-take the assessment at the end of the semester; if they fail again, they are enrolled in another remedial class and re-take the assessment at the end of that semester.

IMMERSION PROGRAMS AT CSI
The Immersion Programs are tuition-free intensive workshops that prepare students to demonstrate basic skills proficiency in reading, writing and/or math. Immersion programs are offered during the summer and winter intersession.

If you enroll in immersion, you save time, money and/or financial aid to apply toward your credit-bearing college courses.

-jmp

Ms. Pecora's Other Office

Thursday, May 22, 2014

CUNY CSI Free Immersion Program

CUNY Assessment Tests

Monday, November 25, 2013

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