Santa Monicas Colleges Two-Tier Trap Questions for Better Understanding

Make sure EACH PERSON writes the answers.

1. What does the word tier mean? What is a two-tier system? 2. What does the author mean by core academic courses (paragraph 1)? What would be examples of these kinds of courses? 3. What does it mean for a course to be oversubscribed? 4. According to paragraph 2, what was the purpose of the California community college system? 5. How much would the new, increased fee classes cost? What do you think the author means when he says the more expensive courses would pay their own way? 6. The author calls the two-tier system understandable but wrong. Why does the author say this system is wrong? 7. Santa Monica College officials stated that students could use Cal Grants to pay for the more expensive classes. What problem does the author see with this proposal? 8. What is the new policy the author mentions in the last paragraph? How do you feel about this system?

To be answered INDIVIDUALLY:
9. Have you ever had trouble getting into a high-demand core academic course? 10. Would you have paid up to $800 to take an in-demand course if you knew it would guarantee you admission? Why or why not? 11. How do you feel about Santa Monica Colleges proposal? How do you think students who you know would feel about it? What are the benefits of this kind of program? What are the drawbacks?