MADISON, Wis. – Aiming to enhance students’ college readiness and reduce the need for developmental or remedial education, more than 90 high school teachers, counselors, principals, and others from around the state have registered for each of the new College Readiness Webinars.
The online webinars, jointly presented by the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, focus primarily on college math readiness, English language skills, and the college admissions process – areas which have been identified as potential roadblocks to student success in college.
“For Wisconsin to reach its full economic potential, it is widely recognized that we must increase the number of college graduates in the state. We also recognize that, for a variety of reasons, many students coming to college might benefit from additional pre-college preparation. This collaborative webinar project with our partners in the state’s PK-12 system helps to clarify expectations and puts more students on the path to success,” said UW System President Ray Cross.
“These webinars are helping to get everybody on the same page when it comes to defining college and career readiness and preparing our high school graduates for their next steps in life,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “The webinars support educators in guiding our high school students to take appropriate level math classes as part of a rigorous curriculum as well as knowing how and when they should apply for postsecondary admission. The collaboration between the UW System and DPI is a win for our kids.”
The next College Readiness Webinar will be offered on Dec. 8, 2015, focusing on college admissions issues and how high school faculty and staff can help prepare students to graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college. Some of the topics discussed include:
- What are the necessary college readiness skills? How are students evaluated in an application for admission and a high school transcript? What is an admissions officer looking for in an application for admission? What resources are available to assist high school faculty and staff and their students?
Registration for this free webinar can be completed at the College Readiness Webinar website: www.wisconsin.edu/developmental-remedial-education/college-readiness-webinars/.
The previous three webinars are now available for viewing on the same website. Featured topics include:
- Early Math Placement Tool (EMPT): The EMPT is designed to allow high school students to gauge how ready they are to pursue math courses at the post-secondary level, particularly since each major at every post-secondary institution in the state has some mathematics requirement. By taking the test, students learn at what level their current mathematics preparation would place them at UW System campuses or at institutions in the Wisconsin Technical College System.
- Senior Year Math: Participants learn how taking (or not taking) math during one’s senior year in high school may affect their placement into math courses at the university level. The benefits of taking senior year mathematics in high school are also addressed.
- Senior Year English: The webinar focuses on the most valuable language skills for incoming college freshmen, the value of focusing high school senior-year classes on composition for different audiences as well as reading and addressing plagiarism. Participants learn about the expectations UW faculty have for incoming freshmen and the various initiatives and resources available to help students transition into college-level composition courses.
For more information, visit: www.wisconsin.edu/developmental-remedial-education/college-readiness-webinars/.