Competency Exam 2
Procedure for this Examination

Read the case study below. Use the notes to write a report in Microsoft Word. E‑mail it attached to a note to your instructor.

NOTE: You must use all of the skills you've learned in all the past lessons. You need such things as a clear thesis statement (meaning a statement of the contents), blocks, openings for the blocks, and headings. If your document doesn't contain everything explained in the previous lessons, we will return it for revision.

NOTE: You must also demonstrate ALL the skills taught in previous lessons. You will be evaluated on every skill taught in the course thus far.

This is the list of skills you must demonstrate that you have mastered:

  • Follow e mail protocol and etiquette
  • Set goals.
  • Know your readers.
  • Choose strategies based on the goals and readers.
  • Use a standard letter or memo format.
  • For e mails and memos, always write a clear, meaningful subject line. For letters, use a "Subject" or "Re" line if your company customarily uses it.
  • Write a clear, complete introduction.
  • For e mails, letters, and memos, write a cordial beginning or buffer.
  • State the contents of the document at the end of the thesis.
  • For reports, state conclusions and recommendations in the introduction.
  • Write the explanations in blocks.
  • Keep explanations of a subject together in one block.
  • Check each block for focus.
  • Check each block for completeness.
  • Open each block with a statement of the contents.
  • Use headings to open blocks.
  • Bold field or data names to identify them as blocks.
Case study

This is the situation. You are a school counselor writing a report about a child that will go to the child's parent and the committee in the school that reviews children's needs. The first draft of the report follows. Rewrite the report based on your goals and the readers. Use the guidelines listed before this exam in the left column to guide you. You will be evaluated based on your ability to use the skills in these guidelines.

This is the first draft of the report:

After observing Simon on March 13, I have some thoughts and I'm really not happy with the situation. Hopefully we will find the reason he is acting this way at school and come to a solution that will eliminate the problem. Described in the written and verbal reports you have observed at home and we have found to be true in the classroom and lunch-room behavior. You should know it is unacceptable.

I have spoken with one the counselors at Maclung Hospital about Simon’s behavioral problems at school. Based on the behavioral problem description I presented to the counselor, the counselor said that type of behavior is normal for the average 5-year old. This is his first full year in school and he is the only child at home. Since Simon is the only child, he is not around a lot of children. I asked them if they still felt the child should be evaluated, and they replied yes.

I like to get a second opinion since it was stated to me that his behavior problems are so outstanding that if it continues he may get suspended again or excluded from school. Therefore, the counselor placed has placed Simon on the waiting list for a session with them and said she would call me when they have the next opening. She also said if Simon’s behavior gets worse, please notify her as soon as possible.

I also noticed that Simon was enrolled in Washington School during pre-school for a couple of months. There, they never experienced any problems with Simon’s behavior. This makes me very concerned about how people in general might be handling the child's behavior in the classroom and at home.

Use the case to write a report in Microsoft Word and e‑mail it attached to a note to your instructor.