In a FIPSE-funded assessment project, a group of diverse institutions collaborated on developing a common, course-embedded approach to assessing student writing in our first-year writing programs. The results of this assessment project, the processes we developed to assess authentic student writing, and individual institutional perspectives are…

Discusses components of a model program for teaching graduate students how to teach writing. Ideally, the program would run prior to as well as concurrent with actual teaching. (HTH)

Focuses on two programs that anticipated current writing across the curriculum programs: the Functional Writing Program at Colgate (1949-1961) and the Prose Improvement Committee at the University of California at Berkeley (1950-1965). Discusses how both programs viewed writing as an activity to unify the intellectual community and link…

Identifies four areas concerning writing across the curriculum programs in which consensus across the campus should be sought: dealing with errors, common terminology, a process or routine for response, and enthusiasm for the effort. Includes response checklists. (HTH)

Describes the college's approach to the requirement for writing courses beyond freshman composition. The main avenues to enhancing writing across the curriculum are (1) guidelines for advanced writing courses, (2) tutoring, (3) workshops and inservice activities, and (4) liaisons among writing faculty and the program's coordinator. (HTH)

Recounts the story of how the writing faculty at Washington State University successfully reclaimed their university's writing assessment program. Argues that writing teachers should be leery of assessment programs made by others, and should create their own assessment tools. (HB)