Questions and Answers About the Early Assessment Program

What is the Early Assessment Program?

The Early Assessment Program (EAP) is the result of collaboration between the California Department of Education (CDE), State Board of Education (SBE), and California State University (CSU). The EAP, developed to align the competencies required of incoming college freshmen to the state content standards in English-language arts and mathematics for kindergarten through grade twelve, is voluntary and is offered at all California public high schools for grade eleven students only.

How can a student participate in the EAP?

Participation is voluntary and does not require any separate registration procedure. Students in grade eleven may participate in the EAP in English (Early Assessment of Readiness for College English) by completing the 15 additional multiple-choice questions included in the test booklet at the end of the section for the Grade Eleven California English-Language Arts Standards Test (CST in English-language arts). A written essay also is required for the EAP in English. Students in grade eleven who take the CSTs in Algebra II or Summative High School Mathematics may participate in the EAP in mathematics (Early Assessment of Readiness for College Mathematics). These students participate by completing 15 additional multiple-choice questions that are at the end of the test booklets for these CSTs. Students in grade twelve are not eligible to participate in the EAP. The EAP in English consists of a portion of the grade eleven CSTs in English-language arts, the 15 additional EAP questions at the end of the test booklet and the written essay. The EAP in mathematics consists of the CST end-of-course Algebra II or Summative High School Mathematics tests and the 15 additional EAP questions at the end of the test booklet.

Where can students get samples of the EAP multiple-choice questions and writing tasks?

Sample questions and more information on both EAP tests are found in the following online documents located at the sites listed:

CSU’s English Success Web site at http://www.csuenglishsuccess.org

CSU’s Math Success Web site at http://www.csumathsuccess.org

Focus on English at http://www.calstate.edu/eap/documents/ept.pdf

Focus on Mathematics at http://www.calstate.edu/eap/documents/fom.pdf

Sample EAP writing tasks, the scoring rubric, and sample student essays for the tasks are included in Focus on English.

How are the results for the EAP reported?

The EAP results are reported separately for English (English-language arts) and mathematics.

EAP in English

Results of the EAP in English are based on the 15 EAP multiple-choice questions, selected questions from the grade eleven CST in English-Language Arts, and the EAP essay. These combined results are reported in two ways:

Ready for CSU College-level English Courses: This indicates that the student scored high enough to be exempt from taking the CSU English Placement Test (EPT).

Not Yet Demonstrating Readiness for CSU College-level English Courses: The student did not score high enough to be exempt from the EPT and needs additional instruction in grade twelve to prepare for the EPT and college-level English.

EAP in Mathematics

Results of the EAP in mathematics are based on the 15 EAP multiple-choice questions and selected questions from the CST in Algebra II or the CST in Summative High School Mathematics. These combined results are reported in three ways:

Ready for CSU College-level Mathematics Courses: This indicates that the student scored high enough to be exempt from taking the CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) placement test.

Ready for CSU College-level Mathematics Courses – Conditional: This indicates that by successfully completing an approved mathematics experience in grade twelve the student may be exempt from the ELM. If the student does not do any additional coursework and is not exempt on the basis of college admissions tests (i.e., SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement) the student will have to take and pass the ELM.

Not Yet Demonstrating Readiness for CSU College-level Mathematics Courses: The student did not score high enough to be exempt from the ELM and needs additional instruction in grade twelve to prepare for the ELM and college-level mathematics.

What are approved experiences for students in the grade twelve who receive a Ready for College-Level Mathematics Courses – Conditional status on the EAP in mathematics?

A description of approved experiences for students in grade twelve who receive a Ready for College-Level Mathematics Courses – Conditional status in mathematics is available through the Math Success Web site at http://www.csumathsuccess.org. Students must enroll in and successfully complete (i.e., grade C or better, unless otherwise specified) one of these experiences during their senior year or the summer following graduation.

How do students get their EAP results?

Beginning in 2007, the EAP results will be included on the STAR Student Report. It will be located in the bottom left hand corner on the back page of the report.

In addition to the paper reports sent to the student, students who have applied to the CSU via the CSU Mentor Web site can access their EAP status on-line. This Web site can be found through a link on the CSU English Success Web site (http://www.csuenglishsuccess.org) or the CSU Math Success Web site (http://www.csumathsuccess.org).

How will the CSU get the information about a student’s EAP results?

Students who complete the EAP in English and/or mathematics and apply to a CSU will be responsible for having their EAP results included on transcripts sent to that CSU.

For More Information About the EAP…

Students, parents, or guardians are advised to get more information about the EAP by logging on to http://www.calstate.edu/eap/. The following information also is included at that site:

 Materials to prepare students for the EAP

 State content standards tested on the EAP

 Sample writing tasks, scoring guides, and sample student essays

 EAP support