WKU  is ahead of the curve when it comes to statewide legislation that ensures students are ready for the rigors of college.

In this week’s “View from the Hill”, Amy Bingham explains how WKU’S College Readiness Program fits right into Senate Bill One.
 
For nearly  ten years, WKU has offered developmental courses to students scoring below 18 on the ACT.

Now statewide legislation mandates similar requirements at all Kentucky Universities.   But a program at WKU is going a step further to make sure students are up to speed on college curriculum.

Making the transition to college is a huge leap from high school.  Just ask Logan County Freshman Chelsea Thomason.
 
“You have to really be on the ball here..can’t slack at all.”

Chelsea had an impressive high school career.
 
“I was involved in beta, graduated with honors…not all that hard, I think I graduated with a 3 point 8 GPA.”

 “Chelsea did everything she was supposed to do, she was a good student in her high school and she actually got twelve hours of college credit before high school.  She was our textbook, poster high school student.”

But like many college freshman, Chelsea found herself struggling to keep up. 
 
“Senate Bill one to me is the best thing that could have happened to higher education in Kentucky and education in general.”

 The coordinator of WKU’s College Readiness Program  says Senate Bill One will ensure that educators align standards from pre-school all the way through college..

The  collaboration with the Green River Regional Education Cooperative,  area school districts and the Technical College System allows WKU an even broader reach.
 
“We help them identify parts of math curriculum or studies if you will that they need to ramp up.  Students not getting this concept but doing this really well.”
Thanks to a required  Literacy course this semester, Chelsea says she’s much more capable of tackling the rest of her college career.
 
“I’m really looking forward to next semester, now I know a little more about what’s expected of me and not just from the professors but from myself, I have expectations for me.”

Senate Bill One requires remedial courses for students whose ACT score is below is 19 in math, 20 in reading and 18 in English.

To learn more about WKU’S  College Readiness Program,  call  270-745-2547.
With this week’s View from the Hill, I’m Amy Bingham.