(b) English

Additional information on honors policy for English Honors Course

Four units (equivalent to four year-long courses or eight semesters) of college preparatory composition and literature are required. Both reading and writing components must be included in the courses.

• Reading. Acceptable courses must require extensive reading of a variety of literary genres, including classical and/or contemporary works. Reading assignments must include full-length works. Excerpts from anthologies, articles, et cetera, can be supplemental but cannot constitute the main component of reading assignments.
• Writing. Courses must also require substantial, recurrent practice in writing extensive, structured papers. Student must demonstrate understanding of rhetorical, grammatical, and syntactical patterns, forms, and structures through responding to texts of varying lengths in unassisted writing assignments.

NOTES:

1. It is expected that courses appropriate for the final year (12th grade) of high school study will demand a substantially higher level of reading and writing requirements and skills outlined above. Prior to the 12th grade, students may complete ESL/ELD courses (up to one year in fulfillment of the "b" requirement); while unusual, in rare cases, the ESL/ELD course may be completed after a college-prep English course if there is evidence that the student would benefit academically from the course. (Refer to the section of this document "ELD, ESL, Sheltered and SDAIE courses.")>
2. For expected competencies in English reading and writing, consult the following resources:
   • "An Information Booklet for the Advanced Writing Placement Examination" (formerly "Subject A Examination") for discussion of writing standards and examples of acceptable college freshman-level scored essays (http://www.ucop.edu/sas/awpe/).
   • "Academic Literacy: A Statement on Competencies Expected of Entering Students to California's Public Colleges and Universities" (Spring 2002) for a description of the language arts material that almost all regularly admitted freshmen have learned (www.universityofcalifornia.edu/senate/reports/acadlit.pdf).
3. English Language Development (ELD) courses, including SDAIE (Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English) and /or Sheltered English language arts courses, may be acceptable for a maximum of one unit (equivalent to one year), provided they are advanced college preparatory courses with strong emphasis on reading and writing. Such courses must specifically deal with rhetorical, grammatical, and syntactical forms in English, especially those that show cross-linguistic influence, and must provide explicit work in vocabulary development. A second year of approved ELD coursework may meet one year of the college preparatory elective requirement described below.
4. Sheltered/SDAIE English courses that are identical to the college preparatory English courses can be considered as satisfying the English requirements with no unit limitations.
5. Courses in speech, debate, creative writing, drama, or journalism do not meet the "b" English requirement, but may meet the "g" elective requirement as described under college preparatory electives. In order for these courses to meet the elective requirement, they must require substantial reading and writing, including expository writing.
6. There are different options of satisfying the "b" requirement for students with international and domestic records.
7. There is a one unit maximum credit allowed of ESL/ELD courses that students could use to meet the "b" requirement.

Program Status for CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP). Among other valuable services, the CSU Early Assessment Program indicates to high school juniors their readiness for college-level English. If students need additional academic preparation, they can now take a course entitled "Expository Reading and Writing" developed jointly by high school and CSU English faculty members. A standardized course description has been approved by UC faculty and satisfies one year of the "b" English requirement. Last year, UC faculty granted "program status" for EAP, which allows any school that offers the CSU's EAP course to quickly and easily add the course to its own "a-g" course list. Please use the official title of the course, "Expository Reading and Writing," when adding this course to your list. If your school is interested in offering the course, please contact Nancy Brynelson, Co-Director, Center for the Advancement of Reading, at (916) 278-4581. Detailed information on this course is available at www.ucop.edu/doorways/guide.