Students majoring in English will be able to employ a variety of writing styles so that they may succeed in professional situations and/or as teachers.
Objective
Writing About Literature
Students will demonstrate the ability to interpret texts by communicating their understanding of those texts in analytical essays.
Indicator
Writing Assessment
We will collect writing samples of English majors from various upper-division courses each semester.
Criterion
Assessment of Writing Skills
Writing samples will be assessed by a holistic scoring done by Department of English faculty. At least 75 percent of the essays scored will be rated as acceptable or excellent.
Finding
Writing Skills
The holistic scoring session was completed, with 78.6 percent of the essays read certified as being acceptable or excellent.
Action
Writing skills
While we met our initial goal, we think it can be higher. To this end, we will discuss how writing may be taught in the context of a literature class to both support instruction and strengthen student writing skills.
Goal
Secondary English Education Certification
English majors and minors seeking certification as Secondary English teachers will receive a grounding in literature, in writing, and in the pedagogy of Secondary English.
Objective
Secondary English Certification Validation
Students seeking teacher certification will be able to pass the English content area portion of the TExES exam (a certification test administered by the Texas Education Agency).
Indicator
English Content Area TExES Preparation
Secondary English Education students will be prepared to pass the TExES English content area exam in their final semester or shortly after graduating.
Criterion
TExES Scores
At least 75 percent of students taking the TExES English content area exam will pass. (Note: scoring of the TExES results in a ??????pass?????? or ??????not passed?????? designation.)
Finding
TExES Results
96 percent of students seeking certification in Secondary English Education passed the TExES English content area exam during AY 06-07. (n = 25)
Action
TExES Assessment
We exceeded our expectation of a pass rate of 75 percent, with 96 percent of students passing. Thus, we will maintain our efforts at preparing our students for the TExES exam through the teacher preparation courses'' structures and materials and through the TExES preparation workshops that we offer.
Goal
Students Graduating From Our English Program Will Be Prepared To Continue With Graduate Studies
Students who graduate from the English program will be prepared to enter graduate school in English.
Objective
Graduate School Preparation
Students will be able to enter graduate school if they desire upon graduating from our English program.
Indicator
Preparation For Graduate Study In English
English majors who wish to pursue graduate study in English will be prepared to do so.
Criterion
Admission to Graduate Study
At least one English student earning the B.A. at SHSU will be admitted to graduate study annually.
Finding
Admission to Graduate Study
Five of our English majors were admitted to the SHSU M.A. program in English.
Action
Graduate Study in English
Because our students seem prepared for admission to graduate study, we do not deem any particular action necessary at this time. We will discuss methods of collecting better data on students who do not apply to our program but do apply to graduate school.
Goal
Literature And Literary Theory
Students majoring in English will acquire an appreciation of various critical approaches and methodologies in studying literature and literary theory.
Objective
Reading Literature Critically
Our upper-division literature classes incorporate discussion of critical approaches and methodologies, and students will be able to use various of the approaches and methodologies presented in analyzing literary texts.
Indicator
Writing Assessment
We will collect writing samples of English majors from various upper-division courses each semester.
Criterion
Assessment of Writing Skills
Writing samples will be assessed by a holistic scoring done by Department of English faculty. At least 75 percent of the essays scored will be rated as acceptable or excellent.
Finding
Writing Skills
The holistic scoring session was completed, with 78.6 percent of the essays read certified as being acceptable or excellent.
Action
Reading and application Skills Assessment
While we met our initial goal, we think it can be higher. To this end, we will discuss how to improve the interpretation skills of students.