Why establish a writing policy?

As the National Commission on Writing asserts in issuing its Writing Challenge to the Nation, accomplished writing and sound writing instruction can be found today in many schools and institutions. Those schools that consistently have students with high levels of achievement in writing have systematically implemented productive teaching and learning practices. When a school commits to creating a culture of writing by subscribing to and supporting sound teaching practices, it offers every learner the conditions needed to learn to think and write clearly.

What does a school-wide writing policy accomplish?

It provides vision and direction from which subject areas can develop more specific practices.

What are the characteristics of a secondary school-wide writing policy?

• Administrators are committed to writing and lead by example.
• All teachers in a school are committed to teaching writing.
• Teaching writing is an integral part of all subjects and classes.
• Writing practices are based on current and effective research about writing.
• Students are given time and multiple opportunities to write.
• Teachers consistently evaluate their writing instruction.
• Student writing is assessed in multiple ways.

What practices do schools with effective writing policies follow?

Research shows that schools that consistently develop fluent, highly competent writers follow established practices:

• Allocate adequate time and resources to advance student learning by having students write every day, in every subject.
• Help administrators and teachers understand how to assess writing to enrich student learning.
• Support teachers in gaining a sophisticated understanding of writing processes and in selecting appropriate strategies to advance every student as a writer.
• Provide insights and strategies to administrators, families, and community members to help them work together to advance student writing.
• Commit to building a culture of writing over time that will sustain growth and achievement through a student’s academic career and beyond.

How can you get your school started?

A writing policy will be most effective if it develops and builds on the knowledge that teachers, administrators, and other key members of your instructional team possess.  Get representatives of each of these groups involved from the outset.  Here are some key steps:

• Provide training for all staff.
• Audit your instructional practices, support structures, and assessment procedures.
• Evaluate the basis of your writing practices.  Align them with research best practices.
• Allow time and opportunities for writing and responding to what is written.

Resources

The National Council of Teachers of English is committed to helping every student, teacher, school district, and state meet the Writing Challenge to the Nation.  With more than 60,000 members, NCTE has been the professional home of dedicated teachers of English for nearly a century.

In February 2003, NCTE embarked on a national campaign to advance the practice and teaching of writing at all levels of education.  Whether you need intensive consulting or thumbnail summaries of current research, NCTE can offer assistance.  Specifically, by August 2003, NCTE will offer the following:

• Highly accomplished consultants who are prepared to advise schools and teachers regarding planning and implementation of systematic writing policies and practices.
• Workshops designed to help teachers advance every student as a writer, to use assessment to make sound instructional decisions, and to help school-based teams evaluate progress at the individual, school, and district levels.
• CoLEARN, a comprehensive yearlong online professional development program for teachers at all levels who want to use research and inquiry to explore questions about the teaching of writing with the assistance of mentors and a supportive community of learners.