Achievement Awards in Writing Advisory Committee

Function: To advise staff on the nature, policies, and procedures regarding the NCTE Achievement Awards, including the following issues: development of a specific plan for involving more public schools in the awards, especially those with large non-white populations; revision of the structure of the award to mitigate the negative effects of competition on student identity and learning; consideration and development of diversified awards: that recognize development of English Language Learners in writing in their first language as well as English composition; that recognize remarkable improvement or growth in writing; that recognize multi-modal composition (digital or non-digital); and that recognize remarkable risk-taking with the process of writing, instead of the exclusive focus on the final draft; and consideration of revising the Achievement Awards procedure, to eliminate the test-like, single-draft, timed essay as part of the award criteria, since recent developments in high-stakes assessment already privilege those who write quickly.

What major actions or projects have been completed by your group since July 1, 2005?

We have successfully created a prompt and implemented the writing evaluation.  We have had difficulties fielding a full committee.  It is my priority this year to find able, knowledgeable professionals to add to this committee, people who represent the broad range of students we hope to reach through this program.  I plan to fill open positions on the committee with people from the western regions of the country as well as with people of diversity.  Right now the committee is predominantly white women from the eastern half of the country.  Our students in California and other western states need representation on this committee.  Also, men need to have at least one representative on the committee.  This committee MUST be a fair demonstration of the demographics found across America. 

What projects, initiatives, or studies are “in progress” at this time?

The committee will continue contemplation—and hopefully, implement—how to change the Achievement Award in Writing from a timed writing session, which is much like many states standardized testing situation, and instead move toward an evaluation of the student’s progression as a writer in addition to his/her mastery of the craft.  We are also looking at how to make the program more accessible and representative across the spectrum (gender, ethnicity, socio-economic, etc.). 

Rebecca Dierking, Chair