The document provides 5 key concepts for creating a successful writing program in schools: 1) dedicating adequate time and resources for writing across subjects daily, 2) using consistent assessment models to evaluate writing, 3) promoting understanding of writing processes and strategies, 4) including administrators, families, and the community, and 5) building a culture where writing is valued. It recommends schools audit current practices against these concepts, evaluate resources, examine student writing samples, identify strengths and barriers, and gain support for improvements.

1. Creating a Writing Plan Advice from NCTE and the ITW Writing Project

2. KEY CONCEPTS: Common elements among schools with high achievement in writing

3. Key Concept 1: TIME & RESOURCES Successful schools give adequate time and resources to advance student learning by writing every day in every subject.

4. What does this mean? Schools that have active, viable WAC programs are the most successful in writing achievement.

5. Key Concept 2: Assessment Matters Successful schools help administrators and teachers understand how to assess writing to enrich student learning.

6. What does this mean? All teachers are trained to use a consistent assessment model – e.g., 6 Traits (analytic), or ISTEP+ (holistic) rather than depending on individual judgment.

7. Key Concept 3: The Writing Process Is Promoted A successful school helps teachers gain a thorough understanding of writing processes and in selecting appropriate strategies to advance every student as a writer

8. What does this mean? Powerful, embedded PD promoting best practice is part of the school culture.

9. 4. All Stakeholders Included Successful schools provide insights and strategies to administrators, families and community members to help them work together to advance student writing

10. What does this mean? LA teachers and departments are intentional about sharing their knowledge about the teaching of writing beyond the classroom.

11. 5. The Culture of Writing Successful schools commit to building a “culture of writing” across a period of years that will sustain growth and achievement through a student’s academic career and beyond.

12. What does this mean? Schools create and sustain the conditions that impart the message that writing is valued, honored and celebrated across time and disciplines.

13. HOW TO ADOPT THE KEY CONCEPTS Becoming a school with high writing achievement won’t just happen. To begin,

14. CONSIDER E A C H CONCEPT THROUGH THE LENS OF THESE ACTION STEPS

15. AUDIT YOUR PRACTICES AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES Action Step 1:

16. For example, Look at Concept 1 by taking Action Step 1 – what does your school’s commitment to time and support for writing across the curriculum look like at this time? What would it take to build capacity in Concept 1?

17. Continue to examine EACH Concept through EACH Action Step

18. Action Step 2: Evaluate the adequacy of your learning resources and identify untapped strengths in your community.

19. Action Step 3: Look closely at learners…not just the latest battery of test scores, but at actual writing samples drawn from day-to-day practice.

20. Action Step 4: Assess what is going well, and what appears to be barriers to improvement

21. Action Step 5: Communicate your findings to staff, family and community members to ensure widespread support and cooperation in advancing student writing.