Rethinking English Composition A Redesign Project in Process Anne Homan English Instructor Math, English, and Developmental Studies, Division Chair State Fair Community College

S TATE F AIR C OMMUNITY C OLLEGE Serves 14 counties in West Central Missouri 30 degree and certificate programs along with an AA transfer degree and an AA in Teaching Main campus in Sedalia with satellite campuses in Osage Beach, Clinton, Warsaw, and Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster 67 full-time and 280 part-time faculty Average student age is students enrolled as of Spring 2012 Dual credit courses delivered in 18 high schools in the 14 county region

Addressing an Problem Addressing an Institutional Problem o Improving our graduation rate by improving the rate of successful course completion... and some departmental problems o Improving instruction to meet the needs of underprepared students o Improving delivery and quality of curriculum across all composition sections as SFCC continues to grow o Improving grammar, mechanics, and documentation scores targeted through department assessment o Improving the process for assessing Student Learning Outcomes

English Composition I and II: Course Structure TraditionalRedesigned 16-week format No common assignments Assessment data self- reported by instructor Primarily 8-week bridged classes MyCompLab required in all Comp I classes Pre and post diagnostic tests through MCL Plagiarism tutorial through MCL More objective assessment Rotating tutorial sessions

English Composition: A Scoring Guide 4 = Excellent3 = Good2 = Fair1 = PoorScore Total Criterion 1: Subject, Audience, and Purpose The essay’s subject is significant and manageable; the writer remains focused on the essay’s purpose, as expressed in a thesis statement, and directs the paper to the appropriate audience Criterion 2: Elements of Reasoning The essay considers the elements of good reasoning as it poses an appropriate question or problem, identifies any key concepts, uses evidence or examples, examines various points of view, questions assumptions, draws conclusions, and analyzes the possible consequences or implications of those conclusions Criterion 3: Organization and Development The essay is carefully and strategically structured. Body paragraphs effectively develop and support the thesis. Transitions and hooks meld the essay together. Smooth flow exists between ideas Criterion 4: Source Selection The essay includes sources that are relevant to the writer’s topic and purpose, and sources are reputable, credible, and timely Criterion 5: Integration and Documentation of Sources Use of sources supports thesis and/or topic sentences. Sources are effectively and smoothly integrated into the essay, with accurate signal phrases, accurate summary/ paraphrase/ quotations, and in-text citation consistent to the established style (e.g., MLA, APA, CMS). End- text documentation (e.g., list of works cited, references, or bibliography) adheres to conventions Criterion 6: Sentence Structure, Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Not only is the essay relatively free of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics, but it demonstrates an understanding of the language including appropriate and precise diction and syntax variety Communicating = C1, C3, C5 Higher Order Thinking = C1, C2, C3 Information Management= C4, C6Total

Progress toward English Composition Course Outcomes 4 = Excellent3 = Good2 = Fair 1 = Poor Fall 2009 Fall 2010 Comp I Comp II Comp I Comp II Criterion 1: Subject, Audience, and Purpose Criterion 2: Elements of Reasoning Criterion 3: Organization and Development Criterion 4: Source Selection Criterion 5: Integration and Documentation of Sources Criterion 6: Sentence Structure, Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics

Using MyCompLab AdvantagesDisadvantages Unified assignments Common assessments More objective and accurate assessment Reduced lesson preparation Reduced grading time Inadequate lab resources at some sites

Fall 2008 – Fall 2009 CourseRetention Rate Enrollee Success Rate Completer Success Rate Elementary Algebra 9% increase 10.7 % increase.07% increase Intermediate Algebra 4.6% increase 18.9 % increase 13.5 % increase College Algebra 13.9% increase 14.5% increase.04% increase Introduction to Writing 7% increase8% increase.02% increase English Comp I 8.5% increase 4.8% increase 3% decrease English Comp II13.1% increase23% increase 8% increase

Possible reasons for improvement noted on previous slide Math faculty changed textbooks; English faculty changed textbooks for Comp II 20 % increase in enrollment fall 2008 My WritingLab and MyMathLab were first implemented in spring 2008 in Elementary Algebra and Introduction to Writing, creating a ripple effect in subsequent courses. More recent data withheld while course redesign in math and English is established

Where We Hope to Go From Here Implementation of MCL in English Composition II More Common Assignments More objective data from MCL to include in our program reviews Reliance on MyCompLab to streamline the assessment reporting process