Writing Skills Get More Attention in School
A growing concern about students' writing abilities has led to a renewed focus on teaching writing skills in schools.
Writing skills are a crucial aspect of a student's education, but they often receive less attention than math and reading skills. In the United States, few states test students on their writing abilities, and the last national writing test results for elementary-age children were published in 2002.
Experts in the field believe that students are struggling with basic writing skills, including sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation. This can lead to problems later on in school when students are expected to produce more complex works. For example, in Colorado's Douglas County, school district leaders noticed that their students were generally scoring well on state tests, except when it came to the writing section.
The issue lies in the way writing is taught in schools. In many districts, teachers are left to their own devices to teach writing, and they often use a variety of methods, including materials bought online. This can result in inconsistent writing instruction from class to class.
However, some districts are taking a different approach. In Douglas County, literacy coordinator Janet Merrill started researching science-backed ways to teach writing and discovered effective approaches that are not commonly known. The district hired Releasing Writers, an organization that trains teachers in a structured instructional method that gives students specific strategies to plan and organize their writing.
The results of this new approach have been impressive. Within a year, middle school teachers were reporting that students were coming to them with strong writing skills, and three years into the program, scores across subject areas are going up.
### The Science of Writing
The "science of writing" encompasses a range of evidence-based approaches to teaching writing. These approaches focus on giving students specific strategies to plan and organize their writing, rather than simply providing them with writing prompts.
### Effective Writing Instruction
Effective writing instruction involves more than just providing students with writing materials. It requires a structured approach that gives students the skills they need to produce high-quality writing. This can include strategies such as planning, organizing, and revising.
### The Impact of Effective Writing Instruction
The impact of effective writing instruction can be seen in the improved scores of students who have received this type of instruction. By giving students the skills they need to produce high-quality writing, teachers can help their students succeed not just in writing class, but across all subject areas.
The renewed focus on teaching writing skills in schools is a welcome development. By providing students with the skills they need to produce high-quality writing, teachers can help their students succeed in all areas of their education.
