Dr. Yoder
Secondary Education Assessment for English Language Arts (NCTE / NCATE):

In keeping with the accreditation requirements of NCATE/NCTE (the accrediting agency for the English secondary education program), the English Dept. must assess the progress of all students pursuing a B. A. in English with certification in Secondary Education. We must do this in order to verify that our courses are enabling these students to meet the prescribed NCATE/NCTE standards in English Language Arts (ELA) competencies. If you are one of these students, you must identify yourself as such to me as soon as possible so that I can include you in the assessment process. You should understand that it is the program that is being assessed, not you as individual students. A critical part of the program involves helping candidates to develop effective assessment strategies for their own use once they themselves become instructors. All students in this category must prepare an electronic Secondary Education Program Assessment Portfolio (SEPAP) of these assessment assignments, both as part of their individual portfolios and as part of the program review. To this end, all assignments related to this assessment must be submitted for review to Chalk and Wire, the service that distributes, records and compiles your assessment materials. Assignments for particular courses are listed below, after the outline of program standards.

If you are a Secondary Education Minor, participation in this assessment is NOT optional. Your final grade will be withheld until you comply with the assessment process. NO EXCEPTIONS.

NCTE / NCATE Secondary Education Program Standards:

While no single course can address all of the Secondary Education Program Standards, this course contributes fully or in part to the following standards, approved by NCATE on October 24-25, 2003, and outlined in the NCTE / NCATE Program Standards for Initial Preparation of Teachers of Secondary English Language Arts Grades 7-12. This document is available to online at www.ncte.org/prog/ncate/107902. You should download this document and familiarize yourself with the various standards.

Assessment will be scored using the NCTE / NCATE Program Standards Guidelines, with the following numerical values:

• 1=Not Acceptable;
• 2=Acceptable;
• 3=Target.

I remind you that it is the Program that is being assessed, NOT THE STUDENT. The standards listed below are based on the "Targets" set by NCTE / NCATE. For your convenience I have put in BOLD what I take to be the significant terms in each item. The courses to which the particular standards apply are included in parenthesis after each one.

NCTE/NCATE Standards applicable to English classes:

2.4 Candidates use practices (instruction and assessment) designed to assist students in developing habits of critical thinking and judgment (4199; any 3000-4000 Literature).

3.1.4 Candidates show a respect for, and a knowledge of, diversity in language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions, and social roles (3311; 3321, 3322, 3323; 3326 or 3327; 3360 [Topics in World Lit.], selections from other 3000-4000 Literature).

3.2 Candidates demonstrate knowledge of the practices of oral, visual, and written literacy .

• 3.2.1 demonstrate an understanding of the influence that language and visual images have on thinking and composing (selections from 3000-4000 Literature);
• 3.2.2 show frequent use of writing, speaking, and observing throughout the program as major forms of inquiry, reflection, and expression (any 3000-4000 Literature);
• 3.2.3 exhibit frequent use of the processes of composing to create various forms of oral, visual, and written literacy (any 3000-4000 Literature);
• 3.2.4 use writing, visual images, and speaking for a variety of audiences and purposes (selections from 3000-4000 Literature);
• 3.2.5 show knowledge of language structure and conventions in creating and critiquing print and non-print texts (selections from 3000-4000 Literature).

3.3 Candidates demonstrate their knowledge of reading processes (All items in 3.3 apply to any 3000-4000 Literature):

• 3.3.1 show an ability to respond to and interpret what is read;
• 3.3.2 show a knowledge of ways to discover and create meaning from texts;
• 3.3.3 use a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts.

3.4 Candidates demonstrate knowledge of different composing processes:

• 3.4.1 use a variety of writing strategies to generate meaning and clarify understanding (3330; any 3000-4000 Literature);
• 3.4.2 produce different forms of written discourse and show an understanding of how written discourse can influence thought and action (3330, selections from other 3000-4000 Literature);

3.5 Candidates demonstrate knowledge of, and uses for, an extensive range of literature. Show a knowledge of, or use of, a variety of teaching applications for:

• 3.5.1 works representing a broad historical and contemporary spectrum of United States, British, and world, including non-Western, literature (3321, 3322, 3323; 3331; 3332);
• 3.5.2 works from a wide variety of genres and cultures, works by female authors, and works by authors of color; (3326, 3327, 3340, selections from other 3000-4000 Literature);
• 3.5.4 a range of works of literary theory and criticism (3330, 4368);

3.7 Candidates demonstrate knowledge of research theory and findings in English language arts:

• 3.7.1 show a knowledge of the major sources of research and theory related to English language arts (4202; 3330).

4.5 Help students to participate in dialogue within a community of learners by making explicit for all students the speech and related behaviors appropriate for conversing about ideas presented through oral, written and/or visual forms (3330).

Assignments for Secondary Ed Assessment for Yoder's Approaches to Literature, English 3330, click here.
Assignments for Secondary Ed Assessment for Yoder's Major British Writers II, English 3332, click here.
Assignments for Secondary Ed Assessment for Yoder's Romanticism, English 4341, click here.
For a "pdf" file with help on how to submit your work to Chalk & Wire for assessment click here.

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