Why am I being graded by a committee of teachers and not by my own teacher in the 100 level courses?
The Department of Rhetoric and Composition appoints a group of four or five Writing Instructors to read the portfolios containing the assignments of the other teachers' classes. The goal of the committee is to set fair and accurate standards for grading throughout the Department of Rhetoric and Composition's multi-section 100 level courses. We use this system at AUC to respond to the need to develop community standards and to respond to the university's desire for a "check" on how well students can write before they move on into their regular academic courses. Another reason why we use this system is to protect students from being misled by "easy" graders and being treated unfairly by "hard" graders.
Does my own Writing Instructor have any say as to how I am evaluated or what grade I get in this class?
Your Writing Instructor will always be one of at least two portfolio readers in any evaluation procedure. If the second outside reader in the group agrees with the Writing Instructor's evaluation or grade, then that agreement will determine the grade you receive on the portfolio. If the second reader does not agree with your Writing Instructor, then a third reader will be asked to read your portfolio. If the third reader agrees with your teacher then that grade stands. If the third reader agrees with the second reader, then your grade is based on the agreement of those two readers. In many cases, these discrepancies are discussed by the whole committee and the whole portfolio is thoroughly reviewed again. Once the committee decides on the grade, that is the evaluation or grade your receive. The goal is to arrive at a "community" grade rather than a a grade based solely on one teacher's preferences.
I think each teacher should grade his or her own students' work!
Each teacher does have a hand in grading their students' work, as was explained in the previous question, but the Evaluation committees assure students that their grades are a reflection of community standards - departmental and university. In addition, although the Evaluation committee determines the final grade, teachers will be able to determine whether a student gets a plus (+) or minus (-) added to the grade, based on the overall effort, attendance, and improvement made.
What happens if one person in the portfolio group grades much harder than the others? Does this mean I will get a low grade if that person reads my portfolio?
No, not necessarily. If the second reader does not agree with your teacher, a third reader is asked to read your work, and decide which of the first two readers is closest to the standards that the portfolio group has agreed on during the semester.
What if my Writing Instructor has certain requirements for essays, and the committee does not know about this?
All Writing Instructors must follow specific departmental guidelines set in the syllabus for each assignment given in the course. Aside from these guidelines teachers may vary the readings required or may be stricter in the requirements of how papers should look before they are submitted. The committee will assume that any assignments have met these teacher-specific requirements and that the work in the portfolio will be graded according to the departmental guidelines set in the syllabus.
Could the committee decide to give me a B grade and then my teacher gives me a C anyway because of absences or class participation?
The committee grade is the grade you will receive. The Writing Instructor will only be able to adjust the grade by a plus (+) or minus (-), if s/he feels this is appropriate.
Just looking at my portfolio at the end of the term doesn't show how much I've improved, or how hard I have worked? Shouldn't my grade be based, in part at least, on my improvement or my effort?
Your grade in The Department of Rhetoric and Composition courses should be based on the quality of your writing at the end of the term. The intention is to communicate that what counts as an A, B,C, IP or F is roughly the same for every student. Teachers can adjust these grades based on your improvement, hard work, or participation with a plus (+) or minus (-).
I want to be graded during the semester so that I know how I am doing during the semester and don't want to be surprised by the result at the end.
We want you to know as well, and your teacher will be reading your writing throughout the semester and respond to it with comments, personal conferences, endnotes, and suggestions for revision. They may also refer you to the AUC Writing Center to help you with specific problems. For most students, a grade is not necessary for early drafts because the proper focus is on what the paper could be, not on what it is. The teacher should be able to give you an idea about where the final draft falls in the range from A to F. The question you should be asking is: "What can I work on to improve the paper?" You should see the Writing Instructor as an ally and resource in order to achieve the grade you are capable of achieving.
Do I get my portfolio back after grades have been posted to see what the comments of the committee were?
Once a portfolio has been submitted to the Final Evaluation Committee it becomes the property of the Department of Rhetoric and Composition. However, you may make copies of your work before you submit your portfolio. Committee members will not make comments on the portfolios, so if you want to know why you received the grade you did, you will have to see your Writing Instructor immediately after the final grades are posted. Each Writing Instructor will inform the class on what day, and at what time they will be available to see students after the final grades are posted. Failing or repeating students may request that in the subsequent semester their new Writing Instructor take a look at the previous semester's portfolio, in order to help those students work on their weaknesses.