Tool URL: NA
Institution URL: http://boisestate.edu
THE WRITE CLASS (tm) is a reliable, efficient, online process for placing students into first-year college writing courses. It is a product that is built and customized for each institution that purchases it. Please contact us at thewriteclass@boisestate.edu for further information.
SETTING:
NA
Appropriate for two-year: Institutions,Systems,State Agencies
Two-Year Institution Size:
Appropriate for four-year: Institutions,Systems,State Agencies
Four-Year Institution Size:
Students are harmed by institutions' continued reliance on a single measure (whether GPA or an array of individual standardized test scores) for writing course placement. THE WRITE CLASS (TM) integrates multiple measures and draws on research on self-efficacy, adult learning, and writing assessment. It is customized with materials from each college so that students learn more about the courses into which they are being placed. Its use has resulted in increased student success in initial writing courses at multiple campuses.
GOALS / EXPECTATIONS:
- Excellent writing placement processes integrate multiple measures (and not be based on an array of possible single measures).
- Excellent writing placement processes include student self-assessment and measures of self-efficacy.
- Excellent writing placement processes are directly tied to curriculum.
- Excellent writing placement processes integrate student assessment, reflection on course materials, assessment of external factors, tailored messaging, and faculty expertise.
- Excellent writing placement processes provide students and program administrators with usable information about course options.
THE WRITE CLASS (tm) is an online, multiple-measures placement tool for college writing courses courses. Unlike a standardized test score, THE WRITE CLASS (tm) integrates multiple sources of data and encourages student self-reflection. It transforms placement into an opportunity for students to gain insights into themselves as learners and into the courses they will be taking.
MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS:THE WRITE CLASS (tm) is a writing placement product currently in use at three public and one private institutions. It is a faculty-led product that is developed and licensed through Boise State University.
THE WRITE CLASS (tm)
- Has a positive impact on retention and student confidence during their first semesters in college;
- Integrates best practices in writing assessment research. It meets or exceeds the following research-based principles for writing assessment: use of integrated multiple measures; includes student self-assessment; is closely aligned with curriculum; is sensitive to local contexts (see CCCC "Writing Assessment: A Position Statement" http://www.ncte.org/cccc/resources/positions/writingassessment);
- Is fully online and efficiently places thousands of students.
FEATURES:
customizable for your campus and contextr
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
- increased student knowledge of college course expectations
- different placement distributions
- positive gains in student success rates (eg pass rates)
ACHIEVED OUTCOMES:
- Student success rates (C- or higher) have been tracked at two institutions where this tool is in use. At both institutions, the student success rates increased by five or more percentage points after transitioning fully to the use of THE WRITE CLASS (tm).
- As importantly, the use of this tool shifts students' perceptions of the courses themselves. It changes the placement moment from passive, decontextualized assessment into a process of reviewing information and reflecting on it.
IMPACTS:
better placement means higher student satisfaction and potentially higher retention.
- The ability to generate customized messages for student populations is critical.
- Students gain from reflecting on their courses prior to the semester.
- Students gain from reflecting on their experience and confidence.
- Some indicators do merit specific placements and students benefit from that.
RESOURCES AND COSTS NEEDED:
THE WRITE CLASS (tm) is a customized product built for your campus. We currently do individual project-based proposals. Contact: thewriteclass@boisestate.edu
COSTS
For the system build; varies. See above.
We are looking forward to working with any other campuses to bring THE WRITE CLASS (tm) to you.
LINKS:
NA
Heidi Estrem
Associate Professor and Director of the First-Year Writing Program
Boise State University
Phone: 208 426 7073
heidiestrem@boisestate.edu
SUBMITTED BY:
Heidi Estrem
Associate Professor and Director of the First-Year Writing Program
Boise State University
Phone: 208 426 7073
heidiestrem@boisestate.edu