tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529647435872563341.post769799300007912876..comments2023-07-05T06:55:53.577-04:00Comments on College Ready Writing: The Agony and Ecstasy of Teaching Basic WritingLee Skallerup Bessette, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12243750156552824701noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529647435872563341.post-47396258383541147852011-05-04T23:22:33.652-04:002011-05-04T23:22:33.652-04:00It is very hard to teach a population which is und...It is very hard to teach a population which is underprepared, especially those who may not understand the commitment level required for college success. <br /><br />My colleague and I, the hardest in our department, were commiserating about how half of our classes have disappeared. <br /><br />And yet, this semester, I have six students who are going into the final in developmental English with a 95 average! Two of those could probably write before they got to me. The other four could not. I have made a difference in those four students' lives.<br /><br />Students who haven't disappeared have worked incredibly hard and made terrific gains in their ability to write. Some of them are still way behind the curve, unfortunately. But all of them have improved.<br /><br />I am proud as punch of the ones who stuck with it. And concerned about the ones who were doing well and disappeared. (Two more were on the way to that 95 in the final, but quit coming.) And sad about those who just could not make it through, whether from other issues or lack of commitment.<br /><br />It's a hard thing to teach basic writing, but a worthwhile endeavor. Hopefully our students feel that they have learned as well.<br /><br />I will be sad to be leaving mine, as I head off for a tt position far, far away.<br /><br />But I am glad we had this time together.Dr. Davishttp://www.teachingcollegeenglish.comnoreply@blogger.com