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Have your students expressed opinions regarding basic writing credit status or extra fees? Describe their reactions and opinions.

• Students are usually not happy when they test into this course, but it is not about the credit status so much as about the “stigma” they perceive is attached to a developmental course.
• Yes. Some are concerned that they are “wasting” their time. Of course, by the middle of the semester, they realize they really are learning about reading and writing in a new way. I like the word “new.” It reveals that this is not necessarily “remedial” work, but rather an intro to the world of reading and writing.
• Students rarely mention the lack of credit.
• Students often express dismay that they are wasting precious time and money on these courses that are required but don’t carry “real credits.” This dismay intensifies when students fail and have to repeat the course(s).
• Students don’t like the fact that the BW course (or their pre-college math and reading courses) don’t count toward graduation. But they seem resigned to it.
• No. I would guess that it seems obvious to them that they are taking a college-level class that deserves college credit.
• Oh yes. As mentioned, it’s a big sore spot. Students feel even more remediated and cheated by the institution. I think we could move a long way toward de-stigmatizing this course if we banned fees and made it count toward graduation. Of course there’s the issue of placement, which also needs to be re-thought, but that’s another issue.
• Some are frustrated because they have to take a class that doesn’t count toward their degree.
• Yes, they don’t like not getting graduation credit. Some feel they don’t need the course, but many are wary of writing and like the “comfort” of a Pass/No Pass course realizing that they need some extra support. Some wish they had taken more writing courses or college prep. writing courses in high school and also regret their HS lack of motivation. They are generally realistic.
• Most students are not very happy to be taking a non-credit class.
• Most are thankful they had the extra preparation in order to do well in their regular coursework. A few are frustrated that they are required to do a preparatory class.
• No one this semester, but last semester they all complained that it should count for something because they would probably take it more seriously.
• In the past, many have been unsatisfied with the class’s no credit status. This year we radically changed the course, and we’ve had fewer complaints. Many students actually like the class.
• Some are not happy being placed in the course, but most recognize the need.
• To tell you the truth, I’ve never heard a student complain about the non-credit status of the courses. So if they do complain, maybe they just don’t complain to me. They do try to move into higher courses than the ones they’re placed in, and we consider their appeals on a case-by-case basis. Any faculty member has the right to accept any student into any class, regardless of placement.
• There aren’t extra fees, so no one has opinions about them. They’d LIKE to get basic writing credit, but they’re more concerned about whether the grade in BW will drag down their GPA if they have to repeat it. At Harper (2-year com. coll.), it will. At RU, it won’t. RU gives P (pass) or I-P (in progress) grade. Not figured in GPA. A number of times, my BW students are 2nd language—often, those who’ve been schooled well abroad. That’s more at RU. They need practice in idiomatic English and U.S. punctuation/writing style. At Harper, the BWs are mostly American kids from first-generation-college families, who speak fluently, but who missed out on writing competency and practice in our suburban high schools.
• The fact that the course is zero credit has been a source of considerable discontent among students
• They would prefer to have credit and no extra fee. The credit is due because of the work involved. School is expensive enough without an extra fee. Some feel they are “getting behind” their peers by being forced to take BW; then they find it is a no credit class that costs an extra fee—that can feel like punishment and is not motivating at all.