School-wide Initiative Helps to Improve Student Writing
Northside Middle School implemented a school-wide initiative to improve student writing on extended and constructive response questions. We implemented a formula for all students to use in all settings.
Issues this Best Practice Addresses:
Our data showed that our students were not successfully responding to constructed response questions. We were practicing in classrooms but responses varied and there was not set way for students to attack the question. We needed a standard formula that students could go to when faced with a constructed or extended response question. Our students were often not addressing the question and veering off-topic.
Major Challenges to Implementation:
Our challenge to begin with was getting all staff trained. We were able to have an afternoon session and provide professional development and establish expectations for the teachers to use throughout ALL classrooms. Our challenge was minimal.
Benefits Derived from Implementing this Best Practice:
Writing!!!! We are seeing more writing and INCREASED CONFIDENCE in both students and teachers. Students know that they CAN and WILL answer the questions in a supported and developed manner. Their ability to talk through and write about a question has been improved drastically. Teachers and students are talking the same language of writing and classrooms that are typically low-frequency writing classrooms have increased their level of questioning and level of response.
Evidence Illustrating Success:
We have seen classroom data improve. Student writing frequency in all classrooms has increased. Our overall participation in the initiative as seen in each classroom is evidence of buy-in and usage of our formula.
Submitted by: Jackie Samuels and Jamie Qualls, Northside Middle School