The two direct measures of assessment are the Cognitive Level and Quality Writing Assessment (CLAQWA) and the WritePlacer test.  Both tools will compare student performance at the beginning (Fall 2009, Fall 2010) and near or at the end (Spring 2011, Spring 2012) of the CCCC experience.  In addition, CCCC student WritePlacer scores will be compared with student scores at comparable two-year institutions. Cognitive Level and Quality Writing Assessment The CLAQWA, designed at the University of South Florida, is a criterion-referenced rubric that measures writing performance across disciplines.  Student writing is assessed in 16 traits using a five-point scale.  The tool is very suitable for assessing the various types of writing skills promoted through the QEP.  The CLAQWA will be administered in the following way: •    Two writing samples will be generated during foundation courses (an introductory course typically taken early in the program).  The first sample will occur prior to written communication skills intervention, and the second will take place at the end of the course or after intervention.  •    A final writing sample will be generated in capstone courses (a course requiring students to demonstrate mastery of advanced concepts and skills with the expectation that students to integrate prior learning from earlier coursework). •    The Assessment Alliance will analyze the writing samples using the CLAQWA.  The results will be entered into a shared spreadsheet for stakeholder review. WritePlacer WritePlacer is a commercially-available writing test that provides immediate scoring and is not discipline-specific.  WritePlacer is currently used at CCCC as a component of a larger testing package, Accuplacer.  The WritePlacer scores student writing in four dimensions: focus, development, organization, sentence structure, and mechanical conventions. The WritePlacer will be administered as follows: •    Entering students (Fall 2009, Fall 2010) will take the WritePlacer test as a component of placement testing.  Student scores will be generated and recorded as with other branches of the Accuplacer test. •    In selected courses, the WritePlacer test will be administered near the conclusion of the program (Spring 2011, Spring 2012). •    Comparisons between entering student performance on the four writing dimensions and scores near the conclusion of the program will indicate if student writing has improved.  •    WritePlacer will generate comparisons between CCCC student performance and peers at other two-year institutions as part of the review process. The following table illustrates how the two direct assessments will address the four writing outcomes.  Student Learning Outcomes  CLAQWA Levels  WritePlacer Dimensions Graduates will be able to write with a clear purpose that is appropriate for the audience. Assignment Parameters Language: Contextual & Audience Appropriateness Focus  Graduates will be able to write in an organized and logical fashion. Organization & Development: Structural Integrity Organization  Graduates will be able to accurately support main ideas in writing. Organization & Development: Reasoning & Development of Ideas Development  Graduates will be able to write using Standard English. Observation of Standard Edited English: Grammar and Mechanics Sentence Structure Mechanical Conventions