RE: Large Classes in UI's basic writing course

["Ron Force" <rforce@moscow.com>]

Yes, the statement is true, as far as it goes.  What it doesn't say is that those scoring between 200 and 450 have to pass English 090 before being admitted to 101 .  This is a non-credit, extra fee course.  You can find the placement table for writing courses at: http://www.its.uidaho.edu/english/comp/placement_table.htm

 

This requirement and course structure is uniform thoroughout Idaho public higher ed (mandated by the Board of Education).

 

The percentiles quoted are for the SAT I, 2000 version. http://usfweb.usf.edu/UGRADS/EANDT/sat_percentiles.htm

 

Are the percentiles on your son's SAT national or for Idaho?  Idaho students tend to score higher on the SAT, since a smaller percentage of high school students take it, usually those going out of state.  Idaho institutions require the ACT.

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Ron Force                 rforce@moscow.com

 Moscow Idaho USA
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-----Original Message-----
From: Dale Courtney [mailto:dmcourtn@moscow.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 5:22 PM
To: vision2020@moscow.com
Cc: Ron Force
Subject: Re: Large Classes in UI's basic writing course

Ron Force is wrong. The English Department web site:

http://www.its.uidaho.edu/english/comp/Engl_101/official_description.htm

says the following:


"English 101 is a prerequisite for English 102.  Students who score
above between 200-539 on the SAT or 1-20 on the ACT must take English
101."

According to my son's report of his current SAT scores, 500
is 47th percentile and 550 verbal is 64th percentile, so I doubt I am
far off by saying that 540 is about 60th percentile. It sure isn't
75th percentile as stated by Ron Force.

Also, just because UI, or anyone else, awards college credit
for a course, doesn't mean that it is not a college prep, high
school, course. Look at the math dept's offerings below 170, most of
which my son will take in high school.


JackW

--
John T. Wenders
Professor of Economics
University of Idaho
2266 Westview Drive
Moscow, ID  83843

----- Original Message -----

From: Ron Force

To: vision2020@moscow.com

Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 12:50 PM

Subject: RE: Large Classes in UI's basic writing course

I guess I would question the assertion that English 101 is high school english. To test out of 101, you need a score of 570 on the SAT, which is at the 75th percentile (top 25%). To test out of both 101-102, you need to be at the 95th percentile (top 5%). These percentiles are for all those taking the SATs nationally.  Presumably, many of the top scorers go on to highly selective institutions. Less than half of all high school graduates take the SAT.

 

The average SAT verbal score for entering freshmen at the UI in 2000 was 549.

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Ron Force                 rforce@moscow.com

Moscow Idaho USA
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