RE: A diagnostic test

[Ellen Mohr <emohr@jcccnet.johnco.cc.ks.us>]

Dear Lady Brown,  We use the student's writing also to diagnose grammar and usage problems.  However, for some time now we have used a computer program call MicroLab by Houghton Mifflin which assesses a student's ability to recognize and correct errors and then provides modules with mastery tests on each problem.  Many of our instructors send their students into the WC to take the assessment and then work through modules on which the student has scored 75% or below.  We then encourage students to bring in the writing sample that all of our writing classes require the first week of classes or the first graded essay.  Our tutors compare the MicroLab scores to the errors made in writing--usually quite telling!  Instructors and students both report good results from this strategy.  Mainly, it gets students into the WC to work with tutors on their writing.  The MicroLab program has just been revised.  We are a test site for the software, and I must admit it has some problems.  Ho!
pefully, these will be corrected a
nd the program will be available for the public by spring, '97.  There is a Mac and a pc version.

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From: 	lady brown <YKFLB@ttacs1.ttu.edu>
Sent: 	Monday, September 16, 1996 5:07 PM
To: 	Multiple recipients of list <wcenter@ttacs6.ttu.edu>
Subject: 	A diagnostic test

Group,

A colleague from the Study Skills Center called to ask if I knew
of a diagnostic test that evaluates a student's knowledge of
written English.  I told him that our department has administered
a diagnostic essay to first year students, but that is judged
holistically by the instructor and doesn't ask for specific
knowledge/terminology, such as subjects, verbs, etc.

Do any of you know of the kind of diagnostic test that he seems
to want--based on my limited description?  

In our writing center we don't administer diagnostic tests of any
kind, so I wasn't very helpful.  I also told him that we work
with "grammar" issues within the context of the student's own
writing.

Thanks.

Lady Falls Brown
ykflb@ttacs.ttu.edu