Late morning/lunch work “writing group” was interesting. Lots of discussion at the way placement happens at all 14 State System universities. Some have tests, but a couple institutions do variations of directed self-placement. Other universities do a portfolio system. There seems to be a general agreement in the writing group that it might be possible to lay out some consistencies across the 14 as to what we expect in college level writing, which is DIFFERENT from what you might find in a placement test. For example, flexibility in responding to different audiences; writing in different genres; incorporating research.

Yet, there is a wide range in the preparation of students across the State System schools. Jim Moran in clear that some universities WILL HAVE TO change the way they do placement…although he is not being specific as to which universities. Everything, however, points to directed self-placement as a “problem” that is not assessable in a way that will be consistent across all 14.

There seems to be a general “sense” at the table that we can distinguish between what we expect in college-level writing and what are some of the barriers students face (at least that’s how I am trying to argue the case). What comes up consistently is the lack of funding from the the State System to support best practices–such as required portfolios from all new students, or even the kind of directed self-placement we do at Kutztown.  

Moran seems to be genuinely invested in the process, but is non-committal to guarantee funding to support best practices. 

Just moments ago, we had a pretty heated debate over the question of “remediation” and what kind of courses we are talking about.