What is a College-ready What is a College-ready English Student?English Student?

Created by the ECC Writing Created by the ECC Writing Team of the Alliance for Team of the Alliance for

College Readiness College Readiness

What are the minimum competencies for aWhat are the minimum competencies for a

college-ready English student? college-ready English student?

The purpose of this document is to answer the The purpose of this document is to answer the question of what the minimum competency skills question of what the minimum competency skills are for a college ready English student. It is are for a college ready English student. It is important to understand that a college-ready important to understand that a college-ready English student is sometimes defined differently English student is sometimes defined differently by high schools than by colleges. by high schools than by colleges.

Ready for College EnglishReady for College English

The ECC Writing Sub-Committee of the Alliance The ECC Writing Sub-Committee of the Alliance for College Readiness establishes the following for College Readiness establishes the following English Standards for minimum competencies English Standards for minimum competencies of a high school graduate/incoming college of a high school graduate/incoming college freshman student, as evidenced by a writing freshman student, as evidenced by a writing sample. sample.

Note: The writing sample is an in-class writing Note: The writing sample is an in-class writing essay of 250-350 words to be administered in essay of 250-350 words to be administered in the ECC Writing Placement Center.the ECC Writing Placement Center.

The Essay’s Purpose The Essay’s Purpose

1.1. A clear purpose responds to the prompt A clear purpose responds to the prompt with an emphasis on persuasion as the with an emphasis on persuasion as the writing mode.writing mode.

Organization & DevelopmentOrganization & Development1.1. The thesis is directly and appropriately stated within the The thesis is directly and appropriately stated within the

introduction.introduction.2.2. The essay has multiple paragraphs with a minimum of 3 The essay has multiple paragraphs with a minimum of 3

paragraphs.paragraphs.3.3. Each body paragraph begins with a directly stated topic sentence.Each body paragraph begins with a directly stated topic sentence.4.4. Each body paragraph is well-developed, consisting of 5-7 Each body paragraph is well-developed, consisting of 5-7

detailed, informative sentences.detailed, informative sentences.5.5. Each body paragraph is logically developed, uses appropriate Each body paragraph is logically developed, uses appropriate

transitions, is supported by specific examples, and ends with a transitions, is supported by specific examples, and ends with a final/concluding sentence which directly connects to the topic final/concluding sentence which directly connects to the topic sentence.sentence.

6.6. The conclusion re-addresses the thesis, summarizes the main The conclusion re-addresses the thesis, summarizes the main points, and ends with a general closing statement.points, and ends with a general closing statement.

StyleStyle

1.1. Sentence variety occurs through the use Sentence variety occurs through the use of simple, compound, and complex of simple, compound, and complex sentences.sentences.

2.2. Style is established through the use of Style is established through the use of concrete adjectives, appropriate adverbs, concrete adjectives, appropriate adverbs, prepositional phrases, and purposeful prepositional phrases, and purposeful and appropriate vocabulary. and appropriate vocabulary.

ConventionsConventions

Basic conventions provide readability and Basic conventions provide readability and clarity; therefore, writing with more than clarity; therefore, writing with more than 10 errors in basic conventions becomes 10 errors in basic conventions becomes unacceptable writing. (Each time an error unacceptable writing. (Each time an error occurs, it counts as one error).occurs, it counts as one error).

Basic ConventionsBasic ConventionsBasic conventions include –Basic conventions include –• the use of a comma with an introductory phrase or the use of a comma with an introductory phrase or

clause, the use of a comma with a coordinating clause, the use of a comma with a coordinating conjunction, the use of a comma with a subordinating conjunction, the use of a comma with a subordinating conjunction, the use of a comma with a non-restrictive conjunction, the use of a comma with a non-restrictive clause, the use of a comma in a listclause, the use of a comma in a list

• Correct spelling, correct homonym useCorrect spelling, correct homonym use• Proper use of an apostrophe, correct use of a semicolon, Proper use of an apostrophe, correct use of a semicolon,

proper end punctuationproper end punctuation• Missing words, unclear wordingMissing words, unclear wording

(Note: Some accommodation for ELL students regarding (Note: Some accommodation for ELL students regarding basic conventions may occur).basic conventions may occur).

Major Errors Major Errors

No more than 4 major errors are present No more than 4 major errors are present in the essay: run-ons, comma splices, in the essay: run-ons, comma splices, fragments, subject-verb agreement, and fragments, subject-verb agreement, and verb tense agreement. verb tense agreement.

Note: Some accommodation for ELL Note: Some accommodation for ELL students regarding subject-verb students regarding subject-verb agreement and verb tense agreement agreement and verb tense agreement may occur.may occur.

While a student should be able to meet all While a student should be able to meet all of these standards upon completing of these standards upon completing his/her high school English curriculum, the his/her high school English curriculum, the ECC Writing instructor may use discretion ECC Writing instructor may use discretion if deemed appropriate. if deemed appropriate.

The English Department at Elgin Community The English Department at Elgin Community College uses the following scoring number system College uses the following scoring number system

to evaluate student essays for ECC placement. to evaluate student essays for ECC placement.

6 6 Student is recommended for Honors English or CLEP Student is recommended for Honors English or CLEP test. Student may enroll in English 101.test. Student may enroll in English 101.

5 5 Student may enroll in English 101.Student may enroll in English 101.

4 4 Student is placed in Developmental English 098.Student is placed in Developmental English 098.

3/2 3/2 Student is placed in Developmental English 097.Student is placed in Developmental English 097.

1 Student is placed in Developmental English 094. 1 Student is placed in Developmental English 094.

00 No placement decision is made. No placement decision is made.

Correlation of the ACT Rubric to ECC Correlation of the ACT Rubric to ECC Placement ScoringPlacement Scoring

ACT ACT ECC ECC

6/5/46/5/4 5 5

33 4 4

2/12/1 3/2 3/2

11

Explanation of ECC 6Explanation of ECC 6

Essay has a thesis and is unified, coherent, Essay has a thesis and is unified, coherent, and developed with concrete, specific and developed with concrete, specific details. It contains a complexity of ideas details. It contains a complexity of ideas and demonstrates the student’s and demonstrates the student’s understanding of sentence form and understanding of sentence form and variety. Student demonstrates the ability variety. Student demonstrates the ability to edit for surface errors, spelling, and to edit for surface errors, spelling, and punctuation. Student may be eligible for punctuation. Student may be eligible for honors English or CLEP test. honors English or CLEP test.

Explanation of ECC 5Explanation of ECC 5

Essay has a thesis and is unified, coherent, Essay has a thesis and is unified, coherent, and developed with concrete, specific and developed with concrete, specific details, with some minor deviations. Essay details, with some minor deviations. Essay contains some complexity of ideas and contains some complexity of ideas and adequate vocabulary. Problems with adequate vocabulary. Problems with grammar, mechanics, or spelling do not grammar, mechanics, or spelling do not interfere with reader concentration/ interfere with reader concentration/ understanding. Student may enroll in ENG understanding. Student may enroll in ENG 101.101.

Explanation of ECC 4Explanation of ECC 4

Essay may have a thesis which responds to the Essay may have a thesis which responds to the topic, but supporting ideas are not consistently topic, but supporting ideas are not consistently concrete, specific, or adequately developed. The concrete, specific, or adequately developed. The essay may demonstrate basic organizational essay may demonstrate basic organizational skills but grammar, mechanics, and spelling skills but grammar, mechanics, and spelling errors are sufficient or serious enough to cause errors are sufficient or serious enough to cause some problems with comprehension. Student some problems with comprehension. Student needs one semester of developmental needs one semester of developmental composition (ENG 098) to prepare for ENG 101composition (ENG 098) to prepare for ENG 101

Explanation of ECC 3Explanation of ECC 3

Essay has same problems as a “4” but with Essay has same problems as a “4” but with serious organization or development serious organization or development problems or several types of grammar, problems or several types of grammar, mechanics and spelling errors, which will mechanics and spelling errors, which will require more than one semester of college require more than one semester of college remediation. Student needs two semesters remediation. Student needs two semesters of developmental composition (ENG 097 of developmental composition (ENG 097 and ENG 098) with recommended and ENG 098) with recommended tutoring.tutoring.

Explanation of ECC 2Explanation of ECC 2

Essay may have a thesis which responds to Essay may have a thesis which responds to the topic, but supporting ideas are the topic, but supporting ideas are undeveloped, repeated, unclear, or undeveloped, repeated, unclear, or incoherent. Essay has recurrent incoherent. Essay has recurrent grammatical and syntactical problems. grammatical and syntactical problems. Student needs two semesters of Student needs two semesters of developmental composition (ENG 097 and developmental composition (ENG 097 and ENG 098) with recommended tutoring.ENG 098) with recommended tutoring.

Explanation of ECC 1Explanation of ECC 1

Essay has same problems as a “2” but writer Essay has same problems as a “2” but writer demonstrates little understanding of demonstrates little understanding of sentence boundaries and has consistent sentence boundaries and has consistent problems with syntax. Basic vocabulary problems with syntax. Basic vocabulary and simple ideas predominate. Problems and simple ideas predominate. Problems are severe enough to require are severe enough to require individualized attention in ENG 094, along individualized attention in ENG 094, along with recommended tutoring before with recommended tutoring before attempting ENG 097 and 098.attempting ENG 097 and 098.

No Placement Decision No Placement Decision

Essay is off the topic or the writing sample is Essay is off the topic or the writing sample is too short to make a judgment. Student too short to make a judgment. Student must retake the test.must retake the test.

The following two essays are examples of The following two essays are examples of writing that is college-ready with a score of writing that is college-ready with a score of 5. These students would be placed into 5. These students would be placed into English 101 at ECC. English 101 at ECC.

Sample Writing Test Prompt Sample Writing Test Prompt

Many high school students consider taking a year Many high school students consider taking a year off between high school and college. Those who off between high school and college. Those who believe this is a good idea note that students believe this is a good idea note that students can earn money by working. Those who oppose can earn money by working. Those who oppose this idea believe that students may lose valuable this idea believe that students may lose valuable study skills. In your opinion, should students study skills. In your opinion, should students take a year off between high school and take a year off between high school and college?college?

In your essay, take a position on the topic. You In your essay, take a position on the topic. You may choose one of the stances listed above or may choose one of the stances listed above or expand upon a unique stance.expand upon a unique stance.

Living in a world where a college education is cheap to come by is a dream to most people. With the rising Living in a world where a college education is cheap to come by is a dream to most people. With the rising costs of college, some four year tuitions costing more than a house can, people are trying to come up with more costs of college, some four year tuitions costing more than a house can, people are trying to come up with more ways to fund their aspirations. One of the solutions that some students consider is taking time off between high ways to fund their aspirations. One of the solutions that some students consider is taking time off between high school and college to get a full time job and earn money before going off to college. Although this may seem like school and college to get a full time job and earn money before going off to college. Although this may seem like a plausible solution, there are many negative aspects to taking time off between college and high school. a plausible solution, there are many negative aspects to taking time off between college and high school. Transitioning right from high school to college will help most people in retaining more knowledge from high Transitioning right from high school to college will help most people in retaining more knowledge from high school, keeping good study habits, and graduating earlier to join the workforce.school, keeping good study habits, and graduating earlier to join the workforce. Remembering information taught from grade to grade in high school is hard enough, even though there is only Remembering information taught from grade to grade in high school is hard enough, even though there is only a three month break between grades. Imagine if there were six months, a year, or even several years between a three month break between grades. Imagine if there were six months, a year, or even several years between each grade in high school, very little information would be easily retainable. When students cannot remember each grade in high school, very little information would be easily retainable. When students cannot remember skills taught in the past, time must be wasted reviewing previously taught items, with less time spent on newer skills taught in the past, time must be wasted reviewing previously taught items, with less time spent on newer information. If one were to take time off between high school and college the amount of information one would information. If one were to take time off between high school and college the amount of information one would need to review just to get to the basic level of where they stood before would be immense. This would make need to review just to get to the basic level of where they stood before would be immense. This would make already difficult college classes more rigorous, as you would be spending time on catching up your old skills already difficult college classes more rigorous, as you would be spending time on catching up your old skills along with learning new ones. Removing oneself from the education process for a period of time after high school along with learning new ones. Removing oneself from the education process for a period of time after high school would serve to only make the transition to college life more difficult, with less of a chance of doing well in college would serve to only make the transition to college life more difficult, with less of a chance of doing well in college studies.studies. Many students find a way to balance their life and studies by the end of their high school careers. The easiest Many students find a way to balance their life and studies by the end of their high school careers. The easiest technique students generally find to keeping up good study skills is to make it a continuous habit, so that one technique students generally find to keeping up good study skills is to make it a continuous habit, so that one does not fall into the trap of becoming lazy. Students who make a habit out of doing their work in high school are does not fall into the trap of becoming lazy. Students who make a habit out of doing their work in high school are also the students who excel. The same can obviously be said for college, in fact, college requires students to also the students who excel. The same can obviously be said for college, in fact, college requires students to work even more rigorously and to persistently rely on their study skills. Taking a break between high school and work even more rigorously and to persistently rely on their study skills. Taking a break between high school and college would no doubt break these well developed study habits that one has learned to use throughout their high college would no doubt break these well developed study habits that one has learned to use throughout their high school career.school career. The largest issue for most students gong to college is clearly how to finance it. While the proposed option of The largest issue for most students gong to college is clearly how to finance it. While the proposed option of taking time off between high school and college to get a job and earn money is conceivable, it is probably not taking time off between high school and college to get a job and earn money is conceivable, it is probably not ones’ best option. Receiving financial aid, scholarships, and saving up money throughout high school with a part ones’ best option. Receiving financial aid, scholarships, and saving up money throughout high school with a part time job is an easy way to help get your college education paid for. Even though those actions may not time job is an easy way to help get your college education paid for. Even though those actions may not completely cover tuition, loans are great option. Loans are still a better option that taking off time between high completely cover tuition, loans are great option. Loans are still a better option that taking off time between high school and college because once one graduates from college their pay scale and salary increases greatly. With a school and college because once one graduates from college their pay scale and salary increases greatly. With a larger salary it would be much easier to pay off college loans that it would be to pay for college in advance, larger salary it would be much easier to pay off college loans that it would be to pay for college in advance, working for trivial pay.working for trivial pay. Overall, students must consider which options for college hold their best interest. Choosing to take a break Overall, students must consider which options for college hold their best interest. Choosing to take a break between college and high school does not have solid reasoning behind it, other than wanting to take a break between college and high school does not have solid reasoning behind it, other than wanting to take a break from education, which would only make college harder. On the other hand, making a immediate transition to from education, which would only make college harder. On the other hand, making a immediate transition to college from high school is the ideal option for many reasons. Not taking a break will aid in keeping good study college from high school is the ideal option for many reasons. Not taking a break will aid in keeping good study habits, information taught in previous education, and will – in the long run – make tuition easier to pay for.habits, information taught in previous education, and will – in the long run – make tuition easier to pay for.

Senior year is without a doubt the most important year of high school, but the summer Senior year is without a doubt the most important year of high school, but the summer after that year is equally important. It is during this time that your prepare for the adult world. It after that year is equally important. It is during this time that your prepare for the adult world. It is also during this time that you get ready t o move out of your childhood home and move out. is also during this time that you get ready t o move out of your childhood home and move out. Immediately following that summer is when you should go off to college if college is in your Immediately following that summer is when you should go off to college if college is in your future. It is not wise to take a long break after high school before you go to college because future. It is not wise to take a long break after high school before you go to college because educational skills that have been learned and practiced may be lost or damaged, and you may educational skills that have been learned and practiced may be lost or damaged, and you may lost your will for further education if you do not go to college right away.lost your will for further education if you do not go to college right away.

The educational skills that are learned in high school are very critical to succeeding in The educational skills that are learned in high school are very critical to succeeding in college. If these skills are not continually used, they will lose efficiency. First of all, writing skills college. If these skills are not continually used, they will lose efficiency. First of all, writing skills may be severely compromised. For example, the proper way to write a research paper probably may be severely compromised. For example, the proper way to write a research paper probably won’t be used outside of the classroom. Therefore, that skill will deteriorate over the summer. won’t be used outside of the classroom. Therefore, that skill will deteriorate over the summer. Secondly, mathematical skills will suffer as well. After high school is over with, for instance, it is Secondly, mathematical skills will suffer as well. After high school is over with, for instance, it is very hard to get access to the text and resources needed to maintain the skills learned. This very hard to get access to the text and resources needed to maintain the skills learned. This means that it is highly likely to forget what has been learned. If college is not attended right means that it is highly likely to forget what has been learned. If college is not attended right away, these skill will deteriorate further and it will have to be relearned through remedial away, these skill will deteriorate further and it will have to be relearned through remedial courses.courses.

Many high school graduates say that they are going to college, but they want to take Many high school graduates say that they are going to college, but they want to take a break first. The reality remains that many of these people will end up losing their passion for a break first. The reality remains that many of these people will end up losing their passion for further education over time. First of all, they may want to take a break to earn more money. But further education over time. First of all, they may want to take a break to earn more money. But then they may not want to leave their job once they have sufficient funds. Many of them think then they may not want to leave their job once they have sufficient funds. Many of them think that since they have done so well so far, without college, they may as well just keep going at that since they have done so well so far, without college, they may as well just keep going at their job and forget about going to college all together. Next, many professions require further their job and forget about going to college all together. Next, many professions require further education, so college is mandatory. Therefore, college should be looked at as an extension of education, so college is mandatory. Therefore, college should be looked at as an extension of high school, where a summer break of 3 months or so is given, before school is mandatory high school, where a summer break of 3 months or so is given, before school is mandatory once again. In the end, if college is wanted after high school, it is more beneficial to go straight once again. In the end, if college is wanted after high school, it is more beneficial to go straight there than to take a break of more than a few months.there than to take a break of more than a few months.

The reality will always remain this: college is hard, and college is expensive. If you The reality will always remain this: college is hard, and college is expensive. If you have dreams of going to college, then don’t put them on hold. It is not a smart choice to wait have dreams of going to college, then don’t put them on hold. It is not a smart choice to wait any more than you have to. If you want to wait because of a lack of money, then take out any more than you have to. If you want to wait because of a lack of money, then take out student loans and/or apply for scholarships. If you want to wait just to take a break, then you are student loans and/or apply for scholarships. If you want to wait just to take a break, then you are risking your own future. If you wait, your passion and your skills will decrease, and chances of risking your own future. If you wait, your passion and your skills will decrease, and chances of having to pay for remedial classes will increase. All in all, it is more beneficial in the long run to having to pay for remedial classes will increase. All in all, it is more beneficial in the long run to go straight from high school to college.go straight from high school to college.

The following three essays are examples of The following three essays are examples of writing with a score of 4 and, therefore, are writing with a score of 4 and, therefore, are not college-ready. These students would not college-ready. These students would be placed into English 098 at ECC. The be placed into English 098 at ECC. The first essay is a high 098, the second a first essay is a high 098, the second a medium 098, and the last a low 098.medium 098, and the last a low 098.

Taking time off of school is a bad idea for a lot of reasons. Students should choose to not Taking time off of school is a bad idea for a lot of reasons. Students should choose to not take time away from school because it will get them off task and detour them from what their take time away from school because it will get them off task and detour them from what their main career goals are. The students will not want to go back to the way things used to be main career goals are. The students will not want to go back to the way things used to be after they have had a break from it. They will also see that they can get their careers on a after they have had a break from it. They will also see that they can get their careers on a better path by starting sooner rather than later.better path by starting sooner rather than later. Many students consider taking time off from school to get a break from the hard studying Many students consider taking time off from school to get a break from the hard studying and long homework hours. But if you were to really think about it you would not want to go and long homework hours. But if you were to really think about it you would not want to go back to that sort of environment after you have been taking a break from it. It would become back to that sort of environment after you have been taking a break from it. It would become harder than it would off been had you started right after the summer of high school. The harder than it would off been had you started right after the summer of high school. The reasons for that are you would start to enjoy the life of a part time working teenager and not reasons for that are you would start to enjoy the life of a part time working teenager and not have to worry about the things that are associated with school. Then you would start to dread have to worry about the things that are associated with school. Then you would start to dread the time when college is upon you and you have to change your life-style again. But if you the time when college is upon you and you have to change your life-style again. But if you are the kind of person who dreads school but you still want to get a college degree you know are the kind of person who dreads school but you still want to get a college degree you know that it would be easier for you to start right after high school. For many reasons and many that it would be easier for you to start right after high school. For many reasons and many different kinds of people, starting college after high school is the thing to do.different kinds of people, starting college after high school is the thing to do. Everyone has a dream of what there ideal career is and how they want to achieve that Everyone has a dream of what there ideal career is and how they want to achieve that dream. To start out you want to get to work on that dream as soon as possible, and for most dream. To start out you want to get to work on that dream as soon as possible, and for most people their dream job has to do with some years in college. If you are one of these people, people their dream job has to do with some years in college. If you are one of these people, then taking a break from school is not the answer. You will delay the day when you can go then taking a break from school is not the answer. You will delay the day when you can go into work doing the job you love, with the suit or uniform that has been in your dreams. But if into work doing the job you love, with the suit or uniform that has been in your dreams. But if you take a break, you might loose that dream. The job that you want might have slim you take a break, you might loose that dream. The job that you want might have slim employment opportunities, and you want to get there before that other guy does. If that does employment opportunities, and you want to get there before that other guy does. If that does happen to you then you will have regrets and thoughts of what could’ve been if I had started happen to you then you will have regrets and thoughts of what could’ve been if I had started school earlier. school earlier. There are so many different reasons to why you should start college after high school. There are so many different reasons to why you should start college after high school. You will not have to go through the change in your life again when you start over from You will not have to go through the change in your life again when you start over from relaxed life into study life. The opportunity to start your career is there. So there is just no relaxed life into study life. The opportunity to start your career is there. So there is just no reason I see is to why it is good to take a break.reason I see is to why it is good to take a break.

Many people think that it is a good idea to take some time off school before Many people think that it is a good idea to take some time off school before going to college, but is this a good idea? Taking time off from school before school is going to college, but is this a good idea? Taking time off from school before school is a good idea. Many students find this time a good opportunity to work and earn money a good idea. Many students find this time a good opportunity to work and earn money to go to college during this time is also good to relax before heading back to the to go to college during this time is also good to relax before heading back to the stress of school. If students are planning to go out of state this time could be used stress of school. If students are planning to go out of state this time could be used get used to their new town.get used to their new town.

First main reasons is that students take time off is to earn money for college First main reasons is that students take time off is to earn money for college and to relax before going back to school. Many students who aren’t able to get and to relax before going back to school. Many students who aren’t able to get scholarships take this time off firm school before college to be able to earn money. scholarships take this time off firm school before college to be able to earn money. Some students take off one or two years to work hard to get enough money to be Some students take off one or two years to work hard to get enough money to be able to attend college. While only being two years students don’t forget their study able to attend college. While only being two years students don’t forget their study habits and self-discipline. During this time students also find it good to relax while habits and self-discipline. During this time students also find it good to relax while only dealing with work. It is very stressful to be dealing with both school and work at only dealing with work. It is very stressful to be dealing with both school and work at the same time. Some students still continue to work while attending college, but it is the same time. Some students still continue to work while attending college, but it is less of stress knowing that college is paid. Other students have enough earn, but still less of stress knowing that college is paid. Other students have enough earn, but still take time to relax from all the stress of school. take time to relax from all the stress of school.

Second reason is that some students go to colleges out of state. Taking Second reason is that some students go to colleges out of state. Taking some time off can be used to get used to the new town. Some students decide not to some time off can be used to get used to the new town. Some students decide not to live in the school dorms and use the time off to settle themselves in the new town. live in the school dorms and use the time off to settle themselves in the new town. While some students look for apartments to live in others use the time to get a secure While some students look for apartments to live in others use the time to get a secure job. Moving out of state means leaving your job, some students make sure that job. Moving out of state means leaving your job, some students make sure that before going to college they have a secure job.before going to college they have a secure job.

So is it a good idea to take time off before going to school? While some So is it a good idea to take time off before going to school? While some students find this as an opportunity to earn money for college, others find it as time to students find this as an opportunity to earn money for college, others find it as time to relax from all the stress of school. Other students also use this to time to get to know relax from all the stress of school. Other students also use this to time to get to know the towns were they are moving to and get secure jobs. So taking some time off from the towns were they are moving to and get secure jobs. So taking some time off from school can be a good idea.school can be a good idea.

Many high school students consider taking so time off from school Many high school students consider taking so time off from school before going to college. But me personally don’t think that’s a good idea. A before going to college. But me personally don’t think that’s a good idea. A lot of students make excuses like they need that time off to find them self’s lot of students make excuses like they need that time off to find them self’s and to find out what want to do in life. To me all this is just a bunch of and to find out what want to do in life. To me all this is just a bunch of excuses to not move on into “adult hood”.excuses to not move on into “adult hood”.

One reason why I don’t think it’s a good idea to move in life. I mean One reason why I don’t think it’s a good idea to move in life. I mean when you heading to college is because you are never going to move in life. when you heading to college is because you are never going to move in life. I mean when you finally decide that you want to work for a year and in that I mean when you finally decide that you want to work for a year and in that year to save money for future education, most people end up just working year to save money for future education, most people end up just working for years until they see how the real world is out there and they end up going for years until they see how the real world is out there and they end up going back to school like five years later. This is a disadvantage because if you back to school like five years later. This is a disadvantage because if you would have gone of to college right after high school, you would be set for would have gone of to college right after high school, you would be set for sure by five years later. You could maybe have your own mortgage already sure by five years later. You could maybe have your own mortgage already and maybe even little kids running around in your house hold.and maybe even little kids running around in your house hold.

Another good reason why students should not take time off before Another good reason why students should not take time off before heading of to college is because they end up in bad foot steps. What I mean heading of to college is because they end up in bad foot steps. What I mean by this is that teens think that just because they are out of high school and by this is that teens think that just because they are out of high school and out working, they could just go party every night. Teens that are not involved out working, they could just go party every night. Teens that are not involved in college seem to go out more and drink even thought college kids do get a in college seem to go out more and drink even thought college kids do get a little crazy at times. This is a high risk of teens turning into alcoholics or little crazy at times. This is a high risk of teens turning into alcoholics or drugs abusers.drugs abusers.

All in all, I think that these two reason say it all why you shouldn’t All in all, I think that these two reason say it all why you shouldn’t take some time off before heading to college. I mean teens end up not doing take some time off before heading to college. I mean teens end up not doing anything in life but working in a job they don’t even like or enjoy, and some anything in life but working in a job they don’t even like or enjoy, and some end up abusing drugs or drinking alcohol as a daily habit.end up abusing drugs or drinking alcohol as a daily habit.

ECC English Writing Team MembersECC English Writing Team Members(Comprised of English teachers and administrators of District 503)(Comprised of English teachers and administrators of District 503)

Co-chairsCo-chairsJeff Weisman, Elgin Community CollegeJeff Weisman, Elgin Community CollegeDebby Fralick, Streamwood High SchoolDebby Fralick, Streamwood High School

Team MembersTeam MembersMichele Machowicz, Michele Noel, Michele Albano, Cecilia Michele Machowicz, Michele Noel, Michele Albano, Cecilia

Carreon, Andrea Fiebig, Shawn Harms, Lindsay Hert, Carreon, Andrea Fiebig, Shawn Harms, Lindsay Hert, Jeff Horler, Pat Parks, Lindsay Pearson, Christine Jeff Horler, Pat Parks, Lindsay Pearson, Christine

Schmidt, Jason Schmidt, Theresa Ulrich, Patty VanLehn, Schmidt, Jason Schmidt, Theresa Ulrich, Patty VanLehn, Marcie Smith, Elisa Biancalana, Kimberly Wiedmeyer, Marcie Smith, Elisa Biancalana, Kimberly Wiedmeyer, Carolyn Forgue, Valerie Pierce, Britany Goodman, and Carolyn Forgue, Valerie Pierce, Britany Goodman, and

Effie RouseEffie Rouse