3. This presentation will focus on the Passaic County Community College Writing Initiative’s use of collaboration in the area of assessment of these courses. PCCC applies the technologies used in the classes to the process of assessment, which allows for input from all levels at the college: student, instructor, administrative, and the college as a whole through the Institutional Research Department.
4. Writing Initiative Title V Grant: $2.5 million over 5 years Develop 20 Distinct, Writing Intensive Courses (with multiple sections, across 3 campuses) Support students and faculty with an on-ground writing center and online tutoring Develop and provide online resources for technology and writing Students required to take 2 WI courses (1 if getting AAS degree)
5. Writing Intensive Courses Spring 2010—Additional Courses Current WI Courses Critical Thinking Cultural Anthropology Introduction to Literature Introduction to Psychology Introduction to Philosophy Introduction to Political Science Western Civilization I Western Civilization II Art Appreciation Computer Concepts and Applications U.S. History II Music Appreciation Environmental Science Additional Sections of Certain Original Courses
6. Assessment Grant calls for improvement in student writing as they move through the program Student writing assessed by Initiative administrators at various points in program At the beginning of the first WI course At the end of each WI course As they get close to graduation (via College Writing Exam)
7. Assessment Input: A Little of Everything Assignments and grades from instructors Feedback and reports from tutors Usage and student needs from Writing Center Writing and reflections from students Test scores and surveys from Institutional Research
15. Initiative Assessment Initiative Administrators assess 3 areas Writing Critical Thinking Information Literacy Rubric for each Combine/compare with others’ assessments for final analysis and report
16. Findings Early in program: ¼ of the way through Early results show that student writing is improving Student consciousness of writing and writing process is improved Students are very satisfied with and make use of services
17. Thank You! Elizabeth Nesius Passaic County Community College Writing Center Coordinator enesius@pccc.edu
