Coming to college may be a very nerve wracking experience to many, but it can be even worse not being completely

prepared for the classes ahead. Northern Kentucky University was recently awarded a $25,000 grant to help teach high school students how to write better. NKU Professor Nancy Kersell, who worked to get the grant and will administer the new program, is helping high school students be more prepared for college writing. I taught high school English many years ago and also worked in business. These experiencesand having taught composition at NKU since 1986have shown me that many high school students dont realize how much employers and institutions of higher learning value the skills of writing clearly and correctly, said Kersell. The expanded program will start in August 2011, when it will offer its first workshop for teachers on campus. The program also will create a website linked to the NKU English Department website. The EAP in English offers a free, voluntary test to high school juniors that give them an early indication of how well they will succeed in college level writing courses. It was launched in the fall of 2010. The pilot program included teachers and students from Campbell County High School, Dixie Heights High School, and Conner High School. In particular, we want to encourage students to improve their analytical writing skills when they still have time during their senior year to get more instruction. Our test covers knowledge of grammar and mechanics, as well as the ability to compose a cohesive essay interpreting nonfiction writing prompt, said Kersell. High school language arts teachers make every effort to help students develop their writing capabilities. Kersell said, My own opinion is that students often do not read closely or carefully enough to define and analyze key concepts. Although students in our region have had extensive instruction and practice in writing for different audiences and purposes, some of them struggle with the higher intellectual level of reading and writing assignments required in college. Freshman Media Informatics major, Jacob Reynolds said, I took the college writing course last semester. It is pretty much the same as high school but I went to a private high school. It was almost like they were teaching you, but they really didnt. The high school class really didnt help at all. Many high schools around the state have many programs offered to help them become better prepared with what they are expected to do in college writing classes. The schools offer prepatory classes and advanced placement programs. I went to a college prepatory high school, said freshman, journalism student, Diamond Crumpton-Scott. It really prepared me.

The only issue with programs like this is that not every school offers it, and if they do then the students along with their parents have to pay for the class. This is the main reason why Professor Kersell and NKU have worked so hard to get the program offered to help students. Professor Kerselll has been directing the program since summer 2010. I am very pleased that the Council on Postsecondary Education is funding programs to help students successfully make the transition from high school into college/university education. Everyone involved with this program is excited about making a positive contribution to college readiness and placement initiatives, Kersell said. Professor Kersell has never been alone in pushing for the program. The advisory board which helped with the pilot program includes Instruction Director Dr. Jen Cellio, Dr. Ellen Maddin from the College of Education, and several school district curriculum specialists and high school English department chairs. With the money granted to the school, the program that they have been working on for years has big plans for the future. We intend to involve at least two other counties and twice as many students in the next testing period, which will be in November 2011.