OVERVIEW

This assessment is a way to...
1. Find out your student's writing skills/level
2. Test out of prerequisite writing courses

"How does it work?"

("What's included in this writing assessment?")

There are three (3) parts to the assessment.

PART I: MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST

PART II: PERSONAL ESSAY

PART II: QUESTIONAIRE

Once completed, the Assessment Coordinator will score your work and contact you with extensive feedback and results.

"What's the Cost"?

The Full Writing Assessment, which includes the multiple-choice test, essay, questionnaire, and in-depth report with specific, detailed feedback outlining strengths, weaknesses, and exactly what to cover to complete writing well before entering college, is $64.

Questions & Answers...

1. How long will the tests take?
Test-taking time depends on your student's current abilities. The multiple-choice test has no time limit. Regarding the completed essay and questionnaire, please upload all documents into Caravel within TWO WEEKS of signing up for the service.

2. Who grades the multiple-choice test?
The test is automatically graded within the Caravel system. You will be able to see your results immediately following the submission. The Assessment Coordinator's feedback will include strengths and weaknesses for all items in the multiple-choice test.

3. What is a "passing score" for the test?
If this assessment is used to test out of AWA's prerequisite writing courses, students must obtain a score of 90% for a "passing score." Students who do not obtain 90% must take the prerequisite courses or noted classes within the courses through recordings (Unlimited Access) or "LIVE." For information on Unlimited Access, click here.

4. Who grades the essay?
The Assessment Coordinator grades the essay.

5. How is the information on the questionnaire used?
In combination with the quiz and essay, the Assessment Coordinator uses the information to help suggest your student's future course of learning for writing. Recommendations will be sent in a complete and detailed final report within two (2) weeks of obtaining your information.

6. When using the assessment to test out of Homeschool Connections' high school writing courses, what determines a "passing score"?
To test out of Punctuation and Grammar and Simplified Writing 1 (9-1 & 9-2) prerequisite courses, the student must obtain a 90% score on the quiz. To test out of the Rhetoric and Writing (12-1) course, the student must obtain a "clean essay" comparable to a score of 4 on the AP English Language and Composition courses. For all other placements, the Assessment Coordinator will work together with you to match your student to the exact information needed to successfully engage in AWA courses.

7. After all three portions of the Writing Assessment and Placement Test are completed, is there anything else to do?
YES! When all three (3) assessment sections—the test, the essay, and the questionnaire—are completed, please email the Assessment Coordinator. This step must be completed to receive your final report. Thank you.

8. "After finishing the assessment, I'll get a report. What will the report look like?"
In the Final Report, you'll receive quiz scores and narrative paragraphs, giving you clear, specific descriptions of your student's performance. Strengths and weaknesses will be noted, and suggestions for improvement will also be added.

9. Beyond using it for HSC class placement, what can I do with this assessment?
As a family, you are free to take this assessment and use it in any external learning environment; you can also follow the prescribed course and class suggestions to bring your students to a higher level of performance.

As a supporting document for enrollment in outside courses in writing (as requested by potential schools), this document is detailed enough for other instructors to give guidance regarding outside course placement.

A suggested scope and sequence of courses at AWA will also be provided. (A scope and sequence is a plan of what and when to take courses.) Families are not required to take the courses with Homeschool Connections (you can take courses elsewhere); however, if you choose to follow the AWA program and sign up for courses, feel free to reach out for one-on-one guidance to place your student in the "perfect" spot for optimum learning.

Finally, if your student struggles with a specific concept, we also have a Writing Support Specialist available for one-on-one Zoom lessons to address single issues.

10. How do I sign up?
To sign up for the Full Assessment now, follow these simple instructions:

1. Enroll: On the left-hand column of this page, you'll find the "Enroll in Live Course" box with a button that says, "Add to cart." Click the button.
2. Student Information: A popup box will give the option to select a student who will be taking the course. If you have not placed a student into the system yet, then select "create a new student" and fill in the student's information. Click "Add to cart" to move forward.
3. Go to Cart and Checkout: Use the popup option or, at the cart icon (found at the right-top of the page) to go to your cart. In your cart, the course will show up with a zero balance. Follow the checkout process.

Do you have more questions?
Please contact AWA's Managing Director, Aubrey Heki, at aheki@homeschoolconnections.com with the AWA Writing Assessment in the subject line. We are happy to help!

Copyright ©2017-2024 Homeschool Connections, all rights reserved. This assessment was designed by Erin Brown Conroy, MA, MFA, and Homeschool Connections holds primary rights to the materials.

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