Improve School District Communication

By Alexander S. Keledjian

I will work towards strengthening communication with all the school districts in the PACCD.

In addition, I want to make sure that incoming PCC students are academically prepared for college level classes. A substantial number of recent high school graduates are placed in remedial classes. This includes students from both high and middle preforming districts. It is the school districts and the college districts job to make sure that the students are prepared for the college level classes before the students graduate from high school. PCC and the high schools need to work together to find a diagnostic for students early in their high school careers to identify any weaknesses, so the students can receive extra guidance and instruction while in high school. No student should be placed in remedial classes in their first semester of college. These classes are a waste of student's time and money. Worse yet, this can add a semester or more to the graduation time line. In addition, these remedial classes drain needed resources from already limited funds available at PCC. Once we reduce the number of remedial classes, PCC can focus on more college level courses to help students get their degree in a timely manner. Since many public and private colleges give English and Math placement tests, all students will benefit from this high school intervention, whether or not they eventually attend PCC. Employers appreciate new employees who have confidently mastered high school English and Math, so this long overdue effort will be a benefit for all students, PCC, and the larger community.