Dear Colleagues,
The Oakland Writing Project (UM) and Red Cedar Writing Project (MSU) are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to participate in the National Study of Writing Instruction (NSWI). Linda Denstaedt (OWP) and Toby Kahn-Loftus (RCWP) will comprise the primary research team on behalf of the National Writing Project (NWP). This is an exciting opportunity for local districts, two writing projects, the National Writing Projects of Michigan, and our state.

We are currently soliciting nominations of middle and high schools with local reputations for success in the teaching of writing. We are looking for economically and ethnically diverse as well as economically and ethnically homogeneous schools whose writing instruction seems more successful than those in other schools serving similar populations of students.
ABOUT THE STUDY

• National Study of Writing Instruction (NSWI) has created a multi-year collaboration between the National Writing Project (NWP) and the Center on English Learning and Achievement (CELA) to understand the current state of writing instruction in middle and high schools in the US, in key content areas (English, social studies, science, and math). The study is funded by the NWP and the Spencer Foundation and is directed by Arthur Applebee and Judith Langer at the University at Albany.
• After suggestions from a variety of sources have been gathered, 4 schools from our state will be invited to participate in the National Study of Writing Instruction (NSWI).
• Research teams will visit the participating schools to visit classes and interview teachers and administrators. The goal is to better understand the opportunities and the complications surrounding the teaching of writing.
• As the study progresses, you can find updates of the study on the CELA website: http://Cela.albany.edu.

TO MAKE NOMINATIONS

Please send your suggestions of middle schools and high schools we might study (the more the better at this point) to our colleague, Sharon Wiles (SWiles@uamail.albany.edu) as soon as possible.
Questions can be emailed to Linda or Toby.

Sincerely,

Linda Denstaedt, Co-Director Oakland Writing Project (UM)

Toby Kahn-Loftus, Co-Director Red Cedar Writing Project (MSU)