Assessment of Oral Communication Competencies at Johnson & Wales University. A Pilot Program Assessing Culinary Arts and Pastry Arts Students.

The Oral Communication Competencies Assessment Project was designed to determine student communication competency across the curriculum, transferring skills taught in the communication skills class to authentic classroom performances. The 505 students who were required to make oral presentations across the curriculum during the first term of the 1995-96 academic year were assessed by 17 Johnson & Wales University faculty members. Faculty used the Oral Communication Mastery Document and Rubrics that were designed to be used by faculty from any discipline, novice or expert in assessment. It was expected and confirmed, in each of three presentations, that students demonstrate oral communication competency at an "adequate level," as defined by the rubrics' absolute standard of 3 on a 1-5 scale of performance. In fact, holistic and atomistic ratings found that, in most cases, scores significantly exceeded these expectations. There was no significant difference across academic years. (Appendixes include a 36-item bibliography, the student demographic survey, and instruction memos.) (YLB)