pre and post testing

[<DOMINA@accnov.allencol.edu>]

I have lurked for quite a while and have enjoyed and learned from the 
the voluble exchanges on this friendly list. 

I am now writing to ask for help in finding a new tool to use to 
evaluate the preinstructional writing skills of freshmen entering our 
Act 101 program this coming fall, one that can also be used as a 
follow up post test for next spring.  Because Act 101 is a state 
program, we need to have a numerical representation, and because I 
want to know how well these kids can actually _write_, I need a test 
that's based on a writing sample, not short-answers.  Any 
suggestions?