Discontinuation of Developmental Classes
I am trying to come to terms with the new pedagogy which
removes developmental writing classes from the community and state colleges. It
has already started at Southwest, a community college in South Los Angeles
where I tutor. These students are typically older adults who have come back to
school after years of separation and need a refresher course. They are
extremely anxious coming back to school. With the students’ initial introduction
to college/university being a composition class that is above their reading and
writing level, I feel it will be discouraging. I have had students tell me that
the class was over their heads and they had no idea what was happening in the classroom.
They have become disheartened with their return to school feeling like a
failure. Some have told me they were considering dropping out because they are
not doing well in the class. I try to encourage them, but as a writing lab
tutor, I am only able to help with an assignment they have written and not the
skills that are needed to be successful in the classroom. I have learned
recently that CSUDH is moving in that direction as well, and I am concerned
that the freshmen coming into the program will become just as disheartened and the
retention level will drop drastically. The students I work with currently are at
a pass rate of about 50%. I’m scared to think what the pass rate will be once
developmental classes are no longer available to them.
No comments:
Post a Comment