Writing
Writing is an essential key to achievement in school, in the workplace, and in the larger world. Research shows that writing develops higher-order thinking skills and helps students learn content across subject areas. And the more students write--and receive supportive feedback--the more their writing performance improves.
NCTE's Writing Initiative is a public service campaign to support sound practices in the teaching of writing across all disciplines, to increase policymakers' and the public's knowledge about the teaching of writing, and to make available professional development for schools and educators.
The components of the campaign are designed to:
- Help teachers in every discipline learn to use writing as a tool for learning and thinking
- Help educators make sophisticated instructional decisions based on careful assessment of each student writer
- Encourage the involvement of parents and community members in students’ literacy and writing education
- Build successful school-, system-, and campus-wide writing programs
NCTE will pursue these goals through the National Writing Initiative Campaign by making available these resources:
As part of this Initiative, NCTE will help support schools and districts in developing policies for promoting high quality writing instruction.
Why is developing a policy important?
While accomplished writing and sound writing instruction can be found in many schools, those schools that consistently show high levels of achievement in writing succeed because they have institutionalized productive teaching and learning practices.
By offering the support of a wide range of resources, and CoLEARN, an online professional development program for teachers of writing at all levels, NCTE will help schools build a "culture of writing" that will sustain growth and achievement through each student's academic career and beyond.
Read more about NCTE's Writing Initiative and the importance of writing and writing instruction:
Tips for Students: So You Want to Be a Better Writer?
Tips for Parents: Helping Your Teenager to Write Better
NCTE Aims for Excellence in Writing Achievement for All Students--News Release about the 2002 NAEP Writing Assessment results
10 Myths about Learning to Write
"Planning a School-Wide Writing Policy" brochure
Writing Is Key to Achievement--News Release Announcing NCTE's Writing Initiative
Excerpts from "On Writing"--from the Conference on College Composition and Communication (draft)
Why Is Writing So Important?
NCTE Consulting Network
NCTE Consulting Network features nationally known writing experts who will design and lead onsite speaking engagements and consultations customized to your school's or district's needs.
"The Neglected 'R': The Need for a Writing Revolution," a report of The National Commission on Writing in America's Schools and Colleges
Other NCTE Resources on Writing
NCTE Position Statements and Guidelines on Writing
NCTE/International Reading Association (IRA) Standards for the English Language Arts
See especially Standards 4, 5, and 6, which focus expressly on writing.
SLATE Starter Sheets
See especially: Writing to Learn in All Subjects
NCTE Position Statements
On Writing Across the Curriculum
NCTE Guidelines
Teaching Composition: A Position Statement
How to Help Your Child Become a Better Writer (English version)
How to Help Your Child Become a Better Writer (Spanish version)
Writing Assessment: A Position Statement
Teaching Ideas Center
This link offers more information on ideas for teaching writing and other English language arts topics.
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