1
Why Do Students Choose English 101A or 102?
And Do They Feel They Made the Right Choice?
Findings from a Survey of
English 101A and 102 Students
Fall 2010
Chabot College
Draft Report Prepared by
Katie Hern and Homeira Foth
For discussion with English Department
Flex Day
March 3, 2011
In October 2010, the Chabot College English Department distributed a survey to all sections of English 101A and
English 102. Completed surveys were received from 18 of the 29 sections of English 102, with 396 students
responding. Completed surveys were received from 11 out of the 14 sections of English 101A, with 211 students
responding.
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Summary of Key Findings
For most students, the choice of 101A or 102 appears to be an intentional decision.

For both 101A and 102 students, the most common reason for choosing the course was that they felt two/one
semester was the right amount of time (46% of 102 students, 48% of 101A).

Confidence vs. lack of confidence was a key factor in the decision of many students:
o
English 102 students were likely to respond that they “would have gone straight to 1A if they could” (37%)
and that they “feel pretty confident in English” (29%).
o
English 101A students were likely to respond that they believed 102 would be “too difficult” (22%) and that
they “don’t feel very confident in English” (20%).
English 101A students were more often unaware that they had another option.

16% of 101A students reported that they did not know about English 102 (only 6% of 102 students said they were
unaware of English 101A/B).

When 101A students cited the placement test as the reason for their choice, many of their responses suggested they
didn’t know they could choose 101A or 102: “The placement test said I had to take this class,” “Assessment placed
into 101A,”“I scored 101A in my assessment test.” This was less common in 102 students’ responses.
The majority of students in both 101A and 102 felt that the course was the right choice for them.


85% of English 102 students responded “Yes.”
73% of English 101A students responded “Yes.”
101A students were more likely to say that it was not the right course, or that they weren’t sure (27%).



The most common reason cited: the course was too easy (59% of No/Not Sure responses).
Very few students reported that 101A was too difficult (10% of No/Not Sure responses).
More students were missing from the 101A sections in mid-October than in 102, which may suggest that additional
students felt the course was not right for them (average students per class: 19 for 101A, 22 for 102).
102 students were less likely to say that it was not the right course, or that they weren’t sure (15%).


The most common reason cited: the course was too easy (34% of No/Not Sure responses).
A somewhat less common reason: the course was too difficult (28% of No/Not Sure responses).
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Why did you choose English 102? (Circle all that apply.)
Reasons given, in order of frequency:
% of students
a. I felt one semester was the right amount of time for me to get ready for college English.
46%
b. One semester was better than two, but I would have gone right into English 1A if I could.
37%
j. I feel pretty confident in English.
29%
k. This course fit into my schedule.
26%
c. A counselor or instructor recommended I take English 102.
17%
d. This course was part of a program I wanted to join (Puente, Daraja, PACE, Teacher Pathway).
17%
n. Other
17%
g. I thought English 101A would be too basic.
16%
i. I don't like English, so the fewer the classes I have to take the better.
11%
l. I wanted to take a course from this instructor.
6%
m. I wanted to be in the same class as my friend/relative.
6%
e. I didn't know about English 101A and 101B.
6%
f. I wanted English 101A but all the sections were full.*
4%
h. I tried English 101A before, and it wasn’t a good fit for me.
3%
* Responses often indicate a misreading of question -- students circling f often also circled b, j, and/or i, suggesting that they may have mistaken 101A for 1A
N = 396 English 102 students
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Why did you choose English 102?
68 Students responded "Other"
Less Time/Money
Direction from Placement Test
To Build Skills for 1A
Recommendation from
friend/relative/other
Alternative to Repeating 101a
or Taking 101B
Miscellaneous
“Other” Reasons for Choosing English 102:
Less Time/Money to Complete Requirements
Faster, kill two birds with one stone
I felt confident enough to take 102, kind of like killing two birds with one stone
I want to get it done. As a working student, time is very important.
English 102 feels like it’s basic and a head start to finish English credits
I’m trying to transfer as soon as possible
I like English so I don't mind working a little hard to get closer to my goal.
I wanted to be in a more accelerated class rather than take 101a/b
Its faster, and don't have to take two classes
Do not want to feel stupid taking 2 Eng classes and wasting my time
Finish my English classes soon
Less money for one semester
I totally bs'd the placement test so I'm taking the shorter path
English is not as hard for me so I thought I could go more advance and try English 102
I wanted to get a higher English so I would't waste my time in Eng 101A and 101B
It's faster, better, and easier. When I say easier, I don't mean difficulty. I mean the ease to
take one class instead of two.
A faster way to get Eng units for transfer requirements
Much better than 101a…I can take 101a and 101b together
If I took 101a it would take longer because then I would have to take 101b then move to 1a
Cheaper
The faster I finish English the better
I wanted to get done with English faster
I want to get English out of the way so I can focus on Math next semester
It's not that I don't like English, but I wanted to get finished with my general classes, so I'd
Direction from placement test
The placement test put me in it, I needed this class to get
to Eng 1A
I had no choice. I was planning on English 1a
Assessment test
The assessment test was ridiculous. It put me here.
After taking the placement test, I was allowed to enroll in
either 101a or 102 (refer to a & b above)
My assessment test told me I was at 102 level and I was
told 102 wasn't too difficult
Placement test
My assessment test said I could take 101a/b or 102
The assessment test
I qualified for 102 by taking the placement test
I took an assessment test in high school and it placed me
in Eng 102
I took the test and it recommended 102
The assessment test told me I was 102 level.
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take less English classes to get to 1A
Quicker amount of time to advance my transfer
Honestly I was really pissed about not making it into English 1A, so I wanted to complete the
remedial English class as soon as possible
I'm trying to transfer quick.
I need to earn a degree with two years so taking less class is better for me
I want to go back to my previous college as fast as possible
Wanted to build skills to be ready for 1A
I could've gone into 1A but I felt I needed to refresh my skills and
prepare myself better for 1A
I didn't realize I could take 1A right away, but I'm glad I took this class
to prepare me for Eng 1A.
I want to take this class because I am weak in writing. I have to study
more in English
I want to learn all I can
Already eligible for 1A but personally wasn't prepared for it
I took Eng 1a at another community college during high school but I
want to improve my writing skills
I felt I needed to take this course to better prepare myself for Eng 1a
I took English 101a & b and failed one of those classes so I thought
this class might be good for some more practice
I wanted to be prepared for English 1a
Failed Eng 1a
To learn more
Recommendation from friend/relative/other person
A friend recommended 102 over 101a/b
it was recommended to me when I finished the assessment test
My family's friend recommended I go straight into Eng 102
Relative recommended to take 102
Miscellaneous
Didn't want to take assessment test
I felt comfortable with this instructor during Eng 115. She really
understands how to bring out the best in her students learning
abilities
This is a class that I need to take
There was no more room for me in the other class [? Student also
circled "I don't like English so the fewer classes I have to take the
better"]
Required for graduation
Needed to fulfill ge requirements. I needed this class to move onto
higher English classes
I like challenges, so I took 102 instead of 101a/b
I didn't know anything about Eng 102, I just knew I needed a English
class so I went with the first one I got in
This is my [first?] semester, so I asked someone else to pick classes for
me.
Sister chose my classes
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Now that you are in the class, do you think English 102 is the right course for you?
4%
11%
Yes
No
Not Sure
85%
N = 396 English 102 students
Sample “Yes” Responses:
“I am doing well in it.”
“I needed a class with an accelerated pace to make me not slack off.”
“It will better me for the college English class I need to take.”
“It feels just right. Not too easy, not too hard.”
“Because I feel that I’m learning not stressing.”
“It’s good preparation.”
“It’s a lot of help.”
“It inspires me to be educated.”
“I can understand what’s going on in this course and it always keeps me interested.”
“I’ve learned to read faster and how to think critically about what I’m reading.”
“I’m just one of those people who like to take a class and get it over with and not drag on.”
“I use to think it was hard but I made it hard on myself because I didn’t do the reading.”
“I was worrying that 102 would be too much, but I’m glad I took it because I’m thriving in it. Having a fun time too.”
“I like the pace of the course.”
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Now that you are in the class, do you think English 102 is the right course for you?
Reasons Given by Students Reporting “No” or “Not Sure”
Other
31%
Dissatisfied
7%
Too easy
34%
Too difficult
28%
N = 60 English 102 students
Too slow/too easy/student feels he or she belongs in English 1A
Too fast-paced/too difficult/student performance in class weak
“I’m barely doing the work and I’m destroying the class…[instructor
name] is a great teacher…Despite my teacher’s fine lessons, I have
lost interest.”
“It’s too fast. Too much work. I have problem writing and reading and
with grammar.”
“This class is so easy that it makes me feel lazy.”
“All the work and assignments goes too fast. I am a person who need
time to do my work.”
“I would have liked to skip it and go straight to English 1A.”
“I think it would’ve been easier for me if I took 101A and B.”
“I want to get to higher level of English to get higher level
conversation.”
“I don’t do well in this class, so I’m afraid that I can’t do well in Eng
1A.”
“If had could have taken 1A, I would actually have to put time and
effort in to pass.”
Other/Unspecified
Dissatisfaction with class/instruction
“I think this could be the right class but I need to concentrate more. It
is difficult when I have three other classes.”
“I mean, I can cope but I don’t know what my teacher thinks.”
(Student reports spelling may be reason for not being ready for 1A)
“Still in progress.”
“I’m not getting the type of feedback on my essays from the
instructor that I thought I would get.” (On other questions, student
says teacher does not explain essay topics, topics are not good, and
teacher too busy to give feedback.)
“I’m not sure if I’m doing well…even though I’m trying my best.”
(Other question: “I need to improve verb tense/grammar and other
errors.”)
“Sometimes too hard, sometimes too easy.” (Other questions: “too
much readings,” “really helps me improve my English since English is
my second language.”)
“This class is easy but really moves fast, so I think I will be ok.”
“I answered not sure because the progression differs…sometimes I
feel overly confident with my progression and often times have to
catch up as well.” (Other question: “fast pace, so as long as I pay
attention and not slack off, I am in sync with the class speed.”)
“I don’t really know much about the other English classes.”
“It’s not hard, it’s just that I’ve become more lazy because it bores
me.” (On other question: “We do the same thing every class and for
every book.”)
“I just want to pass and advance.” (On other questions: student says
he or she is not sure about being ready for 1A at end of term, likes the
instructor but thinks the books are boring and that “nothing” is the
best thing about the class.)
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Why did you choose English 101A? (Circle all that apply.)
Reasons given, in order of frequency:
% of students
a. I felt I needed more than one semester to build up my English skills.
48%
b. A counselor or instructor recommended I take English 101A.
23%
e. I thought English 102 would be too difficult.
22%
g. I don’t feel very confident in English.
20%
h. This course fit into my schedule.
19%
c. I didn’t know about English 102
16%
k. Other reason.
12%
i.. I wanted to take a course from this instructor..
4%
f. I tried English 102 but it wasn’t a good fit for me.
2%
j. I wanted to be in the same class as my friend/relative.
2%
N = 211 English 101A students
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Why did you choose English 101A?
25 Students Responded “Other”
Directions form placement
Miscellaneous
“Other” Reasons for Choosing English 101A
Direction from placement test
The assessment test recommended that I take this class. I don’t regret
it.
Assessment placed into 101A
I scored 101A in my assessment test
The assessment test it would be a good idea to do 101A & 101B
Assessment test put this at my highest level to take
Assessment placed mi [sic] in this course so I get good to change the
world & to be cool like Obama
It was a course selection from the test I took before the semester
The placement test said this was the course for me
Passed English assessment test required me to take English 101A or
102
I took the placement test at the end of the summer after my senior
year of taking college level and I guess I underestimated the test and
didn’t do well
Placement for English was assigned at this level
I took English 101A because I was illegible [sic] for it after I took the
assessment test
I was assessed into the class
The assessment placed me here, even though my teacher thinks I
should be in 1A
I got placed in to the section
My assessment score recommend me to take it
I also took a placement test
The placement test said I had to take this class
Recommended course by Chabot’s registration system
I was lazy the day of the assessment test
Miscellaneous
I need this for my general ed.
I can knock out 8 credits faster by taking two English classes rather than
one and trying to find another class
My mother picked it for me
Because it goes against my transferring credits
I thought English 101A would be easier, even though I can pass 102.
It would prepare me better for English 102
Also, I feel that I had to take this course to go to 1A
10
Now that you are in the class, do you think English 101A is the right course for you?
14%
Yes
No
Not sure
13%
73%
N= 211 101A students
Sample “Yes” Responses:
“It built my writing skills. I’m more confident in the papers I turn in.”
“This course helps me a lot with English reading and writing”
“It moves at a pace I can keep up with”
“I think it’s a good start for college experience because you don’t get much pressure as you get in the higher
levels”
“It’s the lowest English class, so I think it is the right course for me. But I still have many difficulties”
“Because I need to learn these skills in order to pass 1A”
“I’m learning more and reading and understanding what I’m reading”
“I like the way the teacher explains and how we have time to really talk and understand”
“Because I feel it is at a good learning speed for me”
“I needed more help and I feel like I’m getting it.”
“Before this class my critcle [sic] thinking skills were horrible”
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Reasons Given by Students Reporting “No” or “Not Sure”
28%
Too easy
Too difficult
Dissatisfied with class
59%
3%
Other/ Unspecified
10%
N = 57 English 101A students
Too slow/too easy/student feels he or she belongs in English
102/ 1A
Too fast-paced/too difficult/student performance in class
weak
“I think I could have started in English 1A”
“A bit too difficult”
“I wish I would of [sic]have known about English 102 so I could
finish the course faster”
“not ready yet”
“I really do not think I’m getting it”
“No, because I have to take English 101B afterward to go to
1A”
“I could be in 102”
“It’s not challenging enough. The class is boring. I don’t feel
I’m in the right class for me”
“I think I could have managed 102”
“I believe the classes I took in High School prepared me well
enough for 1A and I do not think I needed the extra
preparation”
“Even though I placed in English 101A, I feel as if I should have
taken the accelerated course”
“I feel I should be in a higher English class”
“I think I could have done better in a faster paced class”
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“I feel that I should be in 102 or 1A. I received A’s in English in
High School. I wasn’t prepared for the assessment”
I think it’s too easy. I should have gone to 101B or tried 102
again”
“Because I feel like I know some of the criteria that is being
taught, and my papers have received good grades, which is
very unusual”
“I’m not sure if this is too easy that I’m not really giving my
best”
“It’s too easy – It’s like I’m in grade school again”
“I feel like I should have taken English 102 so I can have a
more difficult challenge”
“Maybe I need more of a challenge”
“Because I belong in English 1A”
“I feel I did not need 101A. I needed English 1A”
Dissatisfaction with class/instruction
Other/Unspecified
“I need more grammar and someone that can explain my
mistakes”
“I’m not sure. Something seems hard but something is not”
“There are things I already know & understand but there are
also things that I am now learning”
“Because all I do is write and read. I think I should be in 1A.
But the assessment was to [sic] difficult because of all the
critical thinking questions”
“I’m not sure because I feel I could have don e102 instead. This
material is easy even though I don’t get As. I can challenge
myself more”
“I wish I would have taken 102 so I can go straight to 1A”
“I don’t really know the difference between 101A and 102 and
it said 102 will go fast…but I heard my friends said it was easy
like a regular English class…”
“I don’t know what 102 looks like, can’t compare which one is
right course”
“I’m not sure if this is too easy that I’m not really giving my
best”
“I don’t think the placement test is accurate”
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Implications for Discussion and Possible Action

What might we do to provide better guidance to students about their developmental options? (Such as
providing more detailed self-placement information about the workload, skill, and fluency expectations
in each level?)

How might we respond to the students who felt that 102 was too easy and that they felt they were
better suited to English 1A? (E.g.: Explore 1A self-placement? Pilot it on a limited basis for students
within a certain range of the current 1A cut score?)

How might we respond to students who felt 101A was too easy for them? (E.g. Mechanism through
which instructors could waive 101B?)

What do we make of the fact that low confidence is one of the most common reasons for choosing
101A? Are there pedagogical implications to consider in this? How do we foster confidence in students?
Are there things we do as teachers that unintentionally undermine it?