Degree candidates demonstrate professional competence in research.
Objective
Demonstrate Professional Competence In Research
Students will demonstrate professional competence in original research in the area of literacy.
Indicator
Dissertation Proposal Defense
All students currently enrolled in the proposal class, READ 8320, will successfully defend proposals for dissertation before their committee of four faculty members.
Criterion
Proposal Defense
100% of the students enrolled in the proposal class will successfully defend their proposals before the committee members.
Finding
Proposal Defense
Of the 11 students enrolled in proposal class for this accounting period, 9 have defended their proposals as of this date. The two that have not are making progress. Additionally, of the 9 who defended their proposals in 2011 or 2012, 3 have successfully completed and defended their dissertations.
Action
Proposal Class
While we are pretty successful in continuing to encourage students towards completing, we are aware of some adjustments that need to be made in the READ 8320 course to help the students more easily navigate the proposal and dissertation process. As a program area we are discussing ways to change the process for the better.
Goal
Professional Competence In Literacy
Degree candidates are professionally competent in the area of literacy.
Objective
Demonstrate Professional Competence In Literacy
Students will demonstrate professional competence in knowledge related to the literacy research.
Indicator
Comprehensive Examinations
Students will successfully complete comprehensive exams at the end of the coursework. Comprehensive exams are administered in two parts: Part A is a take home exam completed over a one week time period and focuses on knowledge of research. Part B is an oral comprehensive exams completed on campus with faculty members present. Written exams are scored holistically as pass or fail and are scored by five faculty members who base their holistic score on their knowledge of and research in the field of literacy. The oral exam is scored by participating faculty using a common rubric which evaluates knowledge of the material, supporting research, and clarity of response.
Criterion
Comprehensive Exams Results
Students ready for the comprehensive exam will successfully demonstrate mastery in the field of literacy, participate in reassessment if necessary, or exit from the program. Last year we had 44% score "high pass" and 44% score "pass." We hope to increase "high pass" to at least 50% this year.
Finding
Comprehensive Exam
We had 6 students participate in the comprehensive process this year. According to the rubric, 1 had a high pass.
Action
Comprehensive Exam
While we continue to have a 100% pass rate, we are concerned that the comprehensive process does not adequately reflect the rigor of our program. As a program area we are meeting to come up with a more relevant comprehensive process.