KKC’s Assessment Academy Project Update August 2012

Writing Across the Curriculum: What we’ve done… What we’ve learned… Where we’re heading… What we need…

Who we are… Sangita Deb – Physical Science Eleanor Harrison – Writing Center Tasha Jarrett – Institutional Research Khalid Uddin – Biology Martha Vertreace-Doody – Communications Giano Cromley – Communications

Last year, this project proposed to re-tool the existing WAC program by: Improving the Sample Submissions Process Improving the Scoring Process Improving the Feedback Loop

What we’ve done… Met as a committee to determine paper collection strategies Held a workshop to train committee members on paper scoring Collected 230 writing samples from 10 departments (preliminary numbers) Scored writing samples using WAC rubric Compiled data for distribution to faculty

What we’ve learned…

WAC Analytic Scoring Rubric

What we’ve learned… Composition Scores: Style Scores: 4 3 2 1 37% 44% 17% 2% Style Scores: 4 3 2 1 29% 39% 31% 1% Sentence Structure Scores: 4 3 2 1 32% 41% 25% 2%

What we’ve learned… Usage Scores: Mechanics Scores: 4 3 2 1 22% 43% 32% 2% Mechanics Scores: 4 3 2 1 25% 47% 24% 4%

What we’ve learned… the numbers Composition is the strongest aspect of our students’ writing with 81% scoring a 4 or 3. Usage is the weakest aspect of our students’ writing with 35% achieving only a 1 or 2. Style is another aspect of writing which is difficult for our students with only 68% achieving a 4 or 3.

What we’ve learned… surprises Sentence Structure was strong, with only 27% not achieving mastery. Mechanics was also strong, with only 28% not demonstrating mastery. (More on this later.) Everything else largely confirmed what most English professors probably could have told you.

Where we’re heading… WAC Committee will meet this fall to discuss these results and formulate preliminary recommendations These recommendations will be shared and refined with the English Department Final recommendations will be distributed to entire KKC faculty through Department Chairs

Where we’re heading… WAC Committee will discuss ways scoring rubric can be improved. For example: Is Mechanics relevant to our understanding of student writing? WAC Committee will discuss ways to expand awareness of the project and to increase submissions. Keep on keeping on…

What we need… Continue to incorporate writing into your classroom Make sure you submit papers if you are asked by the WAC committee or your department chair Volunteer to serve on the WAC Committee

Prompt 1: A Lecture Summary After you have finished a day’s lecture, ask the students to write a two-paragraph summary of what you just taught them. (You might be very surprised by what you find out while reading these.)

Prompt 2: A Learner’s Progress Report At particular points in the semester, ask the students to write a brief report on how they think they’re doing in your class. Ask them to include any concepts they think are difficult and which concepts they think they have mastered.

Prompt 3: A Journal Have your students keep a reflection journal during the semester.

Submission Requirements: Samples should be at least 250 words long Helps to have a packet of at least 12 papers Writing should be related to the course material in some way Ungraded and unmarked Not plagiarized

What we need… YOU! Please consider joining the WAC Committee Benefits include: Glory Fame Riches

Contact Information: Giano Cromley in Room Y-177 gcromley@ccc.edu 602-5180