English Test Dispute Threatens Diplomas

Hundreds of City University students may not graduate this spring because of a last-minute English test. The controversy began last month at Hostos Community College, where many courses are offered in English or Spanish. The school had eliminated a writing test once required throughout the university and substituted its own exam. Trustees viewed the change as a decline in standards. On May 27, they voted to require that graduates of every community college pass the university writing test. The change was effective immediately, four days before commencement. Only 13 of 104 Hostos students who took the test last week passed it. Hostos students are suing.