[EDLING:1077] CFP: Writing in a High-Stakes Test Environment

[Francis M Hult]

> CALL FOR PAPERS Third Annual Virginia State University Conference on
> CompositionMay 11-12, 2006Theme:  Teaching Writing in a High-Stakes Test
> Environment Increasingly, our students write in a high-stakes test
> environment.  High schools are demanding that students pass writing
> assessment tests in order to receive diplomas.  The SAT has added a
> controversial writing component.  At the college level, students may
> again face timed writing assessments, either as part of their placement
> in first year writing courses or as part of exit requirements.   How do
> we, as educators, respond to this high-stakes test environment?  What
> impact do such tests have on our teaching as well as on our students? 
> We encourage all proposals about the teaching of writing, but
> particularly encourage proposals that consider the following:  *
> Preparing students for high-stakes testing * The impact of high-stakes
> testing on students and their writing* Writing "outside the test"*
> Assessment and evaluation An exciting feature of the conference in the
> past has been the mix of conference participants, from middle school
> teachers to college professors.  We encourage proposals from all
> teachers of writing. In addition to individual proposals and panel
> presentations, we encourage proposals that take the format of roundtable
> discussions or workshops (please specify the format in your proposal). 
> Proposals should contain your name, email address, street address, and
> school affiliation.  The abstract should be no longer than 1 page in
> length.  Please indicate in your proposal the academic level most
> appropriate to your presentation: middle school, high school, 2-yr
> college, 4-yr college, or all levels. Featured Speaker:  Dr. Anne
> Ruggles Gere, Professor, University of Michigan; past president of NCTE
> and past-chair of CCCC.   Dr. Gere is the co-author of Writing on
> Demand: Best Practices and Strategies for Success.  She is also the
> author of such works as Programs and Practices: Writing Across the
> Secondary School Curriculum and Language and Reflection: An Integrated
> Approach to Teaching English.   Deadline for Proposals:  January 15,
> 2006Send submissions to:Diann L. Baecker, Ph.D.Planning Committee
> Chair Virginia State UniversityDepartment of Languages and LiteratureBox
> 9072Petersburg, VA  23806dbaecker at vsu.edu