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A growing number of California 11th graders participate in the Early Assessment Program (EAP) in mathematics
September 2011
Just over half of California 11th graders were far enough along in their study of mathematics in 2011 to be eligible for the state's Early Assessment Program (EAP), which assesses their readiness for college-level work in the subject. That reflects a steady if modest increase since 2007.
Only 11th graders who are taking or have completed Algebra II can participate in the EAP in math. The EAP uses expanded versions of the Algebra II California Standards Test (CST), which only students in that course take, and the Summative High School Mathematics CST, which is for students who have already completed Algebra II. The EAP's use of only these two math tests reflects the fact that completion of Algebra II is required for admission to the California State University, which developed the EAP with leaders from K-12.
Students who participate in the EAP Math get early feedback about their college readiness. Those who do well are exempted from taking a placement test in math should they enroll at a California State University campus or at a growing number of California's community colleges.
The figure below shows steady but modest progress in student participation and performance since the program began:
- The percentage of California 11th graders eligible for the EAP Math increased from 44% to 51% between 2007 and 2011.
- Of 11th graders who were eligible for the EAP Math, more chose to participate in 2011 than in prior years.
- Of 11th graders who participated in the EAP Math, the proportion demonstrating college readiness has increased slightly over the past five years. The proportion demonstrating conditional college readiness has remained largely the same during this time period.
For 2011, only 6% of all 11th graders demonstrated college readiness via the EAP Math in 2011, and another 17% demonstrated conditional readiness.
About the EAP Math
High school juniors in California take different math tests depending on the courses in which they enroll, such as the Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II CSTs. Students who have already completed the college-prep sequence through Algebra II during a prior year take the Summative High School Mathematics CST.
The EAP Math involves expanded versions of only the Algebra II and the Summative High School Mathematics CSTs. Each test is augmented with 15 additional items covering topics in algebra and geometry. For the purpose of assessing students' readiness for college, CSU considers students' success on these additional items and selected items from the original tests.
The EAP Math includes an intermediate performance level: "Ready For College, Conditional." CSU grants students assessed at this level an exemption from placement testing in mathematics upon enrollment only if they take an additional year of rigorous mathematics during their senior year to ensure their readiness.