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| Writers Project, The. An inservice program to increase student writing achievement for grades 4-12. |
Audience Approved by PEP for teachers of students, grades 3-12, all ability levels and all subject areas. This program has been implemented K-12 in many districts.
Description The Writers Project's purpose is to increase student achievement in writing by effecting fundamental change in composition practices in the classroom and to sustain this change through an ongoing, system-wide writing improvement program. This process begins with a five-day WRITERS PROJECT WORKSHOP for teachers which consists of: (1) analyzing the current knowledge about effective teaching methodologies, (2) developing new strategies for teaching writing process and assessing student progress, (3) experiencing the writing process as a writer, and (4) designing a plan for implementing a writing program for students. The WRITING TO LEARN and the WRITING THROUGH HANDS-ON ELEMENTARY SCIENCE programs have been developed to give districts further options for reaching teachers in all subject and grade levels as well as all levels of background knowledge in writing instruction. The Writers Project offers a LEADERSHIP SEMINAR designed to develop local leadership for follow-up support. We attribute our long-term track record in such difficult areas as effecting and assessing achievement gain in writing to our model use of organizational change constructs.
Evidence of Effectiveness Results based on holistically scored writing samples indicate that students with trained teachers show statistical differences in their writing achievement when compared to students with untrained teachers.
Requirements Five days of training in the The Writers Project is recommended; a minimum of three days is required for adoption. Up to 30 teachers/administrators may be trained at one time. A larger group requires an additional project consultant. /doptors should target two or more key teacher leaders for the initial training. It is recommended that the teacher leaders attend a Leadership Seminar given in the Ferguson-Florissant School District (or if more cost effective at the local site) to prepare them for the role of trainer in their district. A training manual for each participant must be purchased. No purchase of new student materials is required. This program may be adopted by a single district or a group of districts wishing to share one training site.
Costs Training costs consist of $350 per day expenses for presenters' fees plus all travel expenses. Training manuals are $20 per participant.
Services Awareness materials are available free of charge; awareness presentations are available on an expense-shared basis. Visitations are welcomed. Leadership Training Seminars are scheduled in March in the Ferguson-Florissant School District (located 20 minutes away from the St. Louis-Lambert International Airport). Arrangements may be made to conduct a Leadership Seminar at a local site.
Developmental Funding: USOE ESEA Title II and VII.
JDRP No. 82-26 (5/26/82)
Recertified (4/1/94)
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[Flint Follow Through: The School Effectiveness Model]