Let’s get stoked for the Early Assessment Program (EAP)!

But Mr. Price, What is the EAP? The EAP is a collaborative effort of the California State University, the California Department of Education (CDE), and the State Board of Education (SBE). The goal of this partnership is to ensure that eleventh grade students are “on track” to meet college entry level standards in English and mathematics. Those students who do well on the EAP may earn exemption from the English and mathematics placement tests required of entering CSU freshmen.

Wow, that’s fascinating, Mr. Price. But what does the EAP consist of? The EAP consists of 15 additional multiple choice questions on your STAR exam as well as… A timed (45 minutes) on-demand essay in response to a short non-fiction passage.

Awesome! I love on-demand writing…but what if I don’t take the EAP or if I don’t do well on the EAP? To be honest, it’d be silly not to take the EAP. When entering the CSU system, students are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) to assess an individuals skills in the subject. However, you may be exempt from the EPT if you meet one or more of the following requirements: 1.You successfully complete the EAP in high school. 2.You score a 550 or more in the critical reading section of the SAT’s. 3.You score a 24 or more on the ACT English Test. 4.You earn a “C” or better in an English transfer course at a community college

Hot Diggity, that’s great, Mr. Price! I love having options. Just the same, what happens if I don’t meet any of the aforementioned criteria? Here are a few battles you’ll be fighting your first year of college if you fail to meet the criteria: 1.You cannot enroll in for-credit CSU college English classes until you meet the requirement 2.You must spend time taking remedial English classes during your freshman year until you meet the requirement. 3.You will graduate later because you get no degree credit for remedial English classes 4.You will have to pay additional charges for the remedial classes 5.If you do not pass the remedial classes by the end of your first year, you will have to leave the university

OK, Mr. Price. I admit I find this fascinating, but this doesn’t apply to me because I know for a fact I am not going to a CSU campus. The response to this statement is really quite simple: No You Don’t. Sure, you may have plans right now that don’t involve a CSU, but plans change, no matter how solid you think they may be. Always plan for the unknown. When I was in high school I had ZERO idea that I’d be attending a CSU and, guess what? Yup, I attended a CSU. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a leg-up on your academic future!

Do you have any tips to help me prepare? We will be doing several activities in class to prepare for the EAP. However, here are some general tips to point you in the right direction. 1. Take the appropriate English course. If your high school offers a reading and expository writing course, consider taking it. This type of class has the following characteristics: focuses on improving reading strategies focuses on how a writer puts together an explanation or an argument and focuses on persuasive writing 2. Be patient. Becoming a good writer takes time--certainly more than one or two courses. Continuously improving your writing skills is one of the best things you can do to be successful in college and in your career.

3. Read often. Good students develop good reading habits. Good students read newspapers, periodicals, non-fiction, fiction, websites, etc. Reading, writing, and reasoning are linked skills. If you read for pleasure and comprehend well, most likely you’ll be a good writer. 4. Think critically. * Successful college students know how to read, write, and think critically. * Take some time and assess your strengths and weaknesses in these important areas. * Ask your high school teachers who know your work for guidance.