2010/2011 Institutional Assessment Project
The college is conducting an assessment of ISLO#1 using writing projects for the first cycle. Subsequent
assessment cycles will focus on different aspects of communication. The text of the ISLO:
1. Communication: Use language and non-verbal modes of expression appropriate to the
audience and purpose.
Writing: Write in a clear, coherent, and organized manner, at the appropriate academic level, to
explain ideas, to express feelings, and to support conclusions, claims or theses.
To Participate:
1. Design an assessment with content appropriate to your course that requires the student to write at
least 500 words (2 double-spaced pages). The student should be asked to do the following:
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Develop a clear thesis statement;
Develop main points with appropriate and convincing supporting materials;
Utilize appropriate and effective organization of content;
Demonstrate a clear and coherent writing style that uses effective diction and sentence skills;
and
Demonstrate correct mechanical skills including spelling and punctuation.
2. Verify your assessment with the Assessment Coordinator.
3. Deliver the assessment in the class. Please assign points to it that count toward the student’s grade.
Do not give as an optional or extra credit.
4. Provide copies of the student work to the Assessment Coordinator in electronic or paper format. Have
the students identify their papers with their student ID.
5. The papers will be scored by a specially trained scoring committee. See the scoring rubric at <insert
link>
Ideally you will use this assessment for your course and program assessment as well, scoring with a
modified rubric. Coordinate with your division chair and colleagues.