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Salt Lake City, Utah College Reading SIG

November 5, 2010

1. Ann Wolf described an opportunity to present at the International Reading Association (IRA) conference in May 2011 as a representative of CRLA and the College Reading SIG. Those interested should contact Ann for further information. 2. Members introduced themselves, their area of expertise and institution. 3. The issue of college readiness was discussed. Currently only approximately 23% of college students are ready for college level work. Members reported on changing student demographics and their college readiness. These included: · Refugees · ESL students - the trend observed was that they are taking more developmental education courses instead of ESL courses · Anchorage, Alaska - Giving placement tests to high school juniors and offering after-school developmental classes · Florida - also testing students in junior year and providing prep courses. Students receive a "college-ready" certificate good for two years which entitles them to go directly into college courses. · Thirty-seven states have adopted "common core" which works with expository texts. See www.corestandards.org. 4. Discussed issue of state-wide testing driving what is taught and the result of this on college readiness. 5. Question: Are there any guide lines for Developmental Education programs? Answer: There are a variety of plans in various stages of development. 6. Paired courses · There is a variety of support from institutions. · One institution has data showing success in reading classes predicts success in the paired course. 7. Discussed establishing a wiki for members to share information and ideas. 8. Goals and ideas for next year: · Get more people to present on reading at the 2011 conference · Get more members in the Reading SIG · Establish wiki · Support CRLA presence at IRA · Next year - bring description of one innovative strategy (25 copies) · Coordinated research project among members · Mentoring program · SIG directory with areas of expertise Arden B. Hamer Indiana University of Pennsylvania November 11, 2010