ERIC Number: ED221588
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1982-Jan
Pages: 36
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Supplement to Writing Assessment Manual. Basic Skills Improvement Policy: Implementation Guide 2.
Peters, Eileen
This 1982 supplement is a further elaboration to the Writing Assessment which was distributed in 1981 to assist schools in assessment of writing by detailing scoring procedures, standard-setting, and the reporting of results. The supplement deals with retesting, alternative methods for setting standards, establishing score equivalency on writing samples, and maintaining standards. Holistic scoring is an efficient, reliable and direct method of evaluating overall writing ability. Using student writing samples, teachers judge a piece of writing for its total effect relative to other papers. Since absolute scoring methods are not used, the actual quality of the writing each score represents will depend on the range of writing a given group of students produces on a topic. After the minimum district standard is determined, the corrected papers must be re-evaluated in terms of the district's specific writing objectives or definition of a minimally accepted paper. By defining a minimally accepted paper a district can keep track of students' writing performance changes over time. Changing writing topics is discussed, and answers to questions concerning holistic scoring and standard setting are included. Sample rating form, a table for determining sample size, and information regarding using the state writing tests are appended. (PN)
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Massachusetts State Dept. of Education, Boston. Bureau of Research and Assessment.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A