Launching a great year! NWP SEED Grant 2012

NWP Core Principles Teachers at every level—from kindergarten through college—are the agents of reform. Writing can and should be taught, not just assigned, at every grade level. Professional development programs should provide opportunities for teachers to work together to understand the full spectrum of writing development across grades and across subject areas.

NWP CORE PRINCIPLES Knowledge about the teaching of writing comes from many sources: theory and research, the analysis of practice, and the experience of writing. There is no single right approach to teaching writing; however, some practices prove to be more effective than others. Teachers who are well informed and effective in their practice can be successful teachers of other teachers as well as partners in educational research, development, and implementation.

NWP SEED Funding

NWP Context for this work NWP was awarded SEED (Supporting Effective Educator Development) funding from the U.S. Department of Education in March 2012 GOALS: 1. Build teacher leadership capacity 2. Support intensive and sustained professional development focused on Common Core Standards for writing in high-need schools 3. Develop on-line professional development learning modules

Our Work Together Amount of professional development At least 45 hours of professional development per teacher Teacher participation % of 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grade teachers Ongoing planning and review of professional development implementation between the school and Writing Project site

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS Content Support teachers in offering instruction that will enable students to develop and demonstrate grade-level appropriate competency in Common Core Standards in writing, with an emphasis on informational and opinion / argumentative writing.

School Commitments Make it possible for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers to participate in 45 hours or more of professional development Make Common Core State Standards in writing an explicit focus Establish curricular and instructional practices that support Common Core State Standards in writing Support teachers as they try out new ideas and strategies Co-resource the work through a variety of contributions from the school or district.

Possibilities for our work together