Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement in the CSU ] BOT resolution on Student Writing Skills (76) ] CO memo on Competency in Writing (78) ] EO 514 – Competency in Student Writing Skills (87) ] EO 665 – Determination of Competence in English & Math (97)

Executive Order 665 (1997) GWAR – Baccalaureate Level ] Students must demonstrate competence ] Be matriculated at the CSU where GWAR satisfied ] Opportunity to meet GWAR be made available as students enter Junior year, should complete before senior year ] Certification an all-campus responsibility ] Certification transferable ] Annually update CO on changes; Periodic Review

Executive Order 665 (1997) GWAR – Graduate Level ] May require proficiency as a condition for admission ] Writing proficiency required prior to award of degree ] May require additional demonstration of advanced-level writing proficiency as a condition for admission to a graduate program and/or award of degree

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement in the CSU ] Review Plan: ] Reviewed GWAR material (flow chart & matrix) collected in 99 & 1988 report; Put out a call to provosts in 12/02 to update flow chart and written description of GWAR process as well as provide information on a wide range of issues ranging from scoring rubrics to resources for students who do not pass the GWAR.

Information Collected & Reviewed ] Flow charts & process descriptions ] Purpose and timing of GWAR ] GWAR passrates for ] Policies ] Scoring rubrics, essay topics ] Readers/evaluators for GWAR ] Resources for students not passing ] Essay exams, and course papers ] GWAR & ESL ] GWAR for Graduate Students

Observations ] Routes to Demonstrate Proficiency ] Exam Only10 Campuses ] Course Only 2 Campuses ] Exam & Course 3 Campuses ] Exam or Course 7 Campuses

Observations - Content ] Content of GWAR Examinations ] Objective & Essay 2 Campuses ] One Essay 16 Campuses ] Two Essays 2 Campuses

Observations - Essay ] Time allotted for Single-Essay Exam ] 60 minutes 3 Campuses ] 75 minutes 2 Campuses ] 90 minutes 7 Campuses ] 120 minutes 1 Campus ] 150 minutes 1 Campus ] 180 minutes 2 Campuses

Observations - Essay ] Variations in Task for Essay ] Topic presented for discussion (little reading) ] Read short passage (45-80 words) write a response ] Lengthy passage ( words) base written commentary on ] Issue presented with facts/statements students write position paper ] Variation in Complexity of Passage ] Variation in Rhetorical Challenge

Observations – Essay Evaluation ] Number of Readers for Essay Exam ] One (unless additional needed) 1 Campus ] Two18 Campuses ] Three 1 Campus

Observations – Essay Evaluation ] Scale of Assessment Instrument ] Campus ] Campus ] Campus ] Passing Score When Total 12 ] Seven 4 Campuses ] Eight 9 Campuses

Observations – Writing Samples from Academic Courses ] Products Reviewed by Committee ] Timed essays written in class & out of class essays ] Essays responding to literary work ] Research papers ] Portfolios

Observations – Writing Samples from Academic Courses ] Similarity to Standardized Exam Essay ] Scope, length, level of difficulty ] Different From Standardized Exam ] Composed over more than one class ] Revisions & rewrites

Pass Rates for Timed Essay Exam % Pass1 st TimeRepeaters %---1 Campus 80 – 89%5 Campuses %5 Campuses – 69%5 Campuses2 Campuses 59% and below3 campuses12 Campuses

Pass Rates for Academic Courses % Passing# of Campus 90 – 100%5 80 – 89%3 70 – 79%2 Pass Rates for GWAR courses similar to pass rates in other academic courses

GWAR & Non-native Speakers of English ] Linguistic diversity places extraordinary demands on faculty ] Those with varied linguistic backgrounds face challenge of succeeding in coursework yet not gaining proficiency in written English ] Special GWAR provisions for ESL

Committee Recommendations ] Campuses implement measures to ensure consistency & common standards in faculty evaluations of material produced in courses ] Campuses review writing prompts with respect to eliciting skills expected of graduating rather than entering students ] CSU develop and maintain repository of writing topics, prompts, and assignments ] Campuses develop mechanism to ensure students attempt GWAR as juniors ] Campuses discuss and implement advising & assistance to repeaters

Committee Recommendations ] GWAR course enrollments should be capped at 20 ] Campuses should collect and disseminate data on the % of students who have completed all requirements for graduation except GWAR ] Campuses should involve faculty from all disciplines in GWAR processes ] Campuses should conduct 5-7 year GWAR review ] Campuses should discuss and implement practices that help ESL students to be successful in passing GWAR ] Campuses develop campus-wide GWAR policy for graduate as well as undergraduate programs ] Campus GWAR reviews should include graduate programs

Committee Report ] Overview of varied processes ] Organized around Ex Order ] Intended to promote campus discussions ] Undergrad & Grad writing skills ] Definition of baccalaureate-level writing ] Processes by which CSU can ensure its graduates can write

GWAR Review Committee J. Theodore AnagnosonLos Angeles Ruth ChristensenBakersfield J. Milton ClarkSan Bernadino Jeri EcheverriaFresno John R. EdlundPomona Mary Kay HarringtonSan Luis Obispo Cristy JensenSacramento Marvin KleinPomona Bethany Shifflett (Chair)San Jose State Elaine SundbergSonoma Lorie RothChancellor’s Office