Gary K. Wolfe

The role of writing in nontraditional education

In order to determine the role of student writing in nontraditional life/experience credentialing programs, a questionnaire was compiled and results surveyed from nearly 50 such programs. Although there was little consensus among these programs as to what the proper role of student writing should be, most agreed that writing is a vital part of the credentialing process, but many felt it should not be overstressed. Few programs involved faculty whose main concern was writing despite evidence that essay grading provides a useful paradigm for portfolio assessment and that such faculty have much to offer and much to learn from nontraditional programs.