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Department Course Assessment

The Language and Mass Communication Department views the assessment process as an integral tool, essential to evaluating the quality of course curriculum and the methods used to communicate it to each classroom of students. Since 1996, the English faculty has met each summer to assess student performance in the English Composition sequence. Data is collected through grading sessions at this one-day meeting and the results are reported to the General Education program coordinator. (Beginning in the spring of 2004, the literature faculty will follow a similar process.)

English Composition Assessment Results for 2003

Six full-time and three adjunct English faculty met on Wednesday, August 6, 2003, along with ten area high school English instructors to evaluate explanation and problem-solving essays collected from Composition I and Composition II classes, respectively. The study specifically focused on the writing performance of students who completed Composition I in fall 2002 and, in turn, Composition II in spring 2003.

The department learned that 22 or 62% of Composition I students composed a satisfactory essay receiving a grade of C or higher. 24 of 35 or 68% of the Composition II students developed a satisfactory essay that received a C or higher.

The three most commonly noted strengths in the Composition I papers were grammar and mechanics, development/supporting evidence, and organizations and transitions, respectively. Only one area fell below a 3.0 and that was documentation. The average paper earned a D for this criterion.

The three most commonly noted strengths in the Composition II papers were the thesis, grammar and mechanics, and organization. Two weaknesses were indicated: documentation and lack of credible sources. The average paper scored a D for each of these criteria.

As a result of the assessment data and faculty discussion, SFCC English instructors will be engaging their students in source-based writing activities that emphasize the significance of accurate documentation.  The English faculty will meet in August of 2004 to evaluate students’ progress in this area.