ASSESSING STUDENT WRITING PROFICIENCY IN GRADUATE SCHOOLS OF SOCIAL WORK

Abstract

This article focuses on the assessment of writing abilities among master of social work students. The purposes and methods of writing assessment are explored, as well as the evaluation and reporting of results. The article also summarizes results from an assessment project conducted in 2003 of 129 MSW students' writing skill. Among the findings were (a) 1 quarter of the beginning MSW students did not have adequate writing skill, (b) their major deficit was in building an essay using appropriate and sufficient details with a persuasive voice, (c) 3 factors predicted good writing skills, and, (d) 1 of these factors, "selectivity" of students' undergraduate college, was related to subsequent academic success at the graduate level.