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National Writing Project sites share these beliefs about writing and teaching:
- Writing is fundamental to learning in all subject areas and at all grade levels.
- We promote the best that is known about the teaching of writing from literature in the field, research, and the insights and experiences of successful teachers at all levels.
- Teachers are the best teachers of teachers.
- Teachers of writing must be writers themselves.
- Real change in classroom practice happens over time. Working as partners, universities and schools can articulate and promote effective school reform.
- Effective professional development programs are on-going and systematic, bringing teachers together regularly throughout their careers to examine successful practices and new developments (NWP, 1998).
Kentucky Writing Projects typically offer two types of programs:
- Open Programs: Usually first-come, first-served. May have admission or registration fees. May offer professional development or graduate credit.
- Invitational Programs such as the Summer Institute: Kentucky public school teachers of all content areas, primary through college, are eligible to apply. Participants are selected on the basis of criteria such as a successful interview, principal recommendations, exemplary teaching record, and interest in and potential for leadership. A year-long commitment is required. Tuition for 6 hours of graduate credit is provided, along with an $800 stipend.
Summer Institutes are the "gateways" to life-long network membership.
Participating teachers meet daily for four weeks to write, read, and reflect upon and share their own successful strategies as they learn about recent research in the teaching of writing and the uses of writing in all learning.
During the school year teachers practice new strategies for assessing and improving their students writing performance. They also serve as teacher consultants in their schools and beyond, sharing with their colleagues through formal inservice programs and informal consulting.
Participants must attend orientation sessions before the institute and designated Saturday meetings during the following school year.
Application Process
Most sites accept applications in January and February, scheduling interviews soon after the application deadline.
Some sites' applications are available on their web pages. |
