But in fact, if you may share with you an
additional requirement that all college
bound students have to make,
these seniors at Lamar High School got
instructions on the new Texas academic
skills program test from their counselor.
Every incoming college freshman who wants
to go to a state school will have to take
the test unless he goes to summer school.
The test is three parts reading, writing
and math.
If these students fail any part of the
test, they'll have to take remedial
noncredit college classes until
they do pass.
The test test is to ensure
that all students who go to college in
the state of Texas,
how the reading, math and
the writing skills necessary to deal with
college level work.
Some students are apprehensive about
taking the test.
I probably will have some problems with
the math part because I'm not looking at
it. Well, if I need it, you know, I guess
I'll just have to take it.
State education officials are predicting
that one third of all college freshmen
will fail the test and that a high
percentage of those who do fail will be
minorities.
State colleges and universities like the
University of Texas at Arlington are
trying to get ready to offer the remedial
classes right now, but doesn't
have any remedial classes.
Neither do several other state
universities.
They've got quite a challenge.
By next fall, they have to have
an unknown number of teachers to handle
an unknown number of remedial
classes.
University officials are hoping to have a
better idea of how many students will
fail the test after the decision
of what will be a passing grade is
made this Friday in Austin.
Mary Anne Connor, Channel 5 News tonight.
I want to.