TRUSTEES APPROVE FRESHMAN PLAN\CSU to coordinate effort to reduce need for remedial classes by\90%.

Byline: Mary Beth Alexander

Daily News Staff Writer

California State University trustees Wednesday approved an 11-year plan to cut the number of freshmen needing remedial classes by 90 percent.

Under the plan, the CSU will work with the state's elementary schools, community colleges, the University of California system and some private institutions to improve elementary teacher training programs and take other steps to redefine academic standards for high school graduates.

The CSU measure has been supported by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin and Lt. Gov. Gray Davis. On Wednesday, both promised to help CSU officials in their effort to overhaul basic skills teaching in elementary schools.

"The reality is, I do think we have a crisis in K-12 education," Eastin told the board. "This system crashes and burns if we don't rebuild."

But about a dozen students from various CSU campuses called the plan inadequate and said state universities will be put out of reach of students in disadvantaged areas.

They maintained that the plan doesn't provide what secondary schools in disadvantaged areas really need - current textbooks and teaching supplies.

"You are creating an illusion," said Cal State Los Angeles student Sofia Quinones.

"By the year 2007, there will be (even) more ill-prepared students."

The plan's first goal is to cut the number of students needing remedial instruction by 10 percent within five years, with more reductions gradually enforced in following years.

Statistics show 47 percent of new CSU freshmen lack college-level math skills, and 41 percent need help in English.

The trustees voted to evaluate the progress of the program each year. However, they did not propose what actions they might take if targets weren't reached.

"I think it is a wise policy," said Cal State Northridge President Blenda Wilson of seeking a reduction in the number of students needing remedial courses.