What College Readiness Looks LikeEnglish/Reading/Writing

Dr. Stefeni StallworthAdjunct-Faculty English

Community College of the District of Columbia

College Readiness

-The term “college readiness” derives from discourse concerning how to best prepare students graduating from high schools throughout the United States for either college or career success.

-Historically there has been a disconnect between the primary goal of secondary schools; assuring that students are college eligible (admitted to post-secondary institutions) and what post-secondary instructors require of students to be successful in entry level college courses.

-College readiness refers to students being able to meet the academic expectations that they encounter in entry level college courses.

College Readiness in English

College readiness in English is inclusive of critical thinking, research skills, as well as, reading and writing.

Critical ThinkingAnalytical Analysis

-Categorize information thematically-Go beyond facts presented in classroom lectures and readings-Note differences between description and summary-Move between general and specific ideas when examining information-Make connections across texts and points of view

Critical Thinking cont…

Critical Reflection-Perspectives beyond likes and dislikes-Able to answer point of view questions that may not have a right or wrong answer-Able to depend a position based on analysis of material-Able to integrate personal experiences and knowledge gained from material encountered in coursework -Able to assert opinions and ask bold questions

Research Skills

Information Gathering-Recording that which is meaningful and useful based on analysis of information presented

Creating a Research Plan-Know what knowledge is desired-What position is being argued/proven-What sources might be used to answer questions -Distinguish the quality and reliability of information-Connect information from sources to support an argument

ReadingInteractive Process

-Asking questions-Noticing patterns-Feedback through making notes-Summarizing-Critiquing material

Requires Critical Thinking-Recognizing Thesis-How thesis is constructed-Whether or not its effective-Point of view/perspective on thesis

Reading cont…Paraphrasing

-Comprehending what was read-Recognizing what pieces of information are important and relevant for assignment-Noting specific points that support student’s argument

Familiarity with Literature-Knowledge of a variety of world literature-Understanding the range of writing from which collegiate literature courses will draw-Awareness of the cultural context-Ability to recognize various types of literature -Novel -Essays -Poetry -Short Stories -Plays

WritingGrammar

-Sentence structure-Understanding how grammar makes writing clearer

Language-Express ideas concisely not simply to describe events-Consider the audience (who will be readers of writing)-Carefully select evidence used to support ideas-Understand how to support an argument well enough that a strong position emerges; recognizing the consequences of a particular position

Writing cont…The Writing Process

-Utilize prewriting exercises (brainstorming, mapping, etc.) to generate ideas concerning assignments-Utilize outline as a tool to structure and guide writing-Expressing ideas concisely accessing vocabulary-Editing is pivotal to the writing process -Drafting -Proofreading -Revision/Rewriting