Does Introductory Writing Instruction Help Students To Succeed At Montclair State University?

This study examines whether Montclair State University (MSU) students who were placed into an introductory writing course between 2005 and 2009 later succeeded as measured by retention rates, academic advancement and available grade data. While available data was limited, retention rates and grade data suggest that most of these students have succeeded so far at MSU. The study also submitted an online survey to former introductory writing course students which asked whether they believe that their experience in that course was an actual contributing cause to their academic success. Survey responses of 68 students confirm that most believe the course made them stronger writers and helped them to succeed at MSU. In particular, these students say they learned a number of writing concepts and skills in the introductory course that were actually useful to them in other writing courses