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)

Dr. Standerford, left, pictured here with MRA leaders Julia Reynolds, President, Lynn Bigelman, President-Elect, and Patricia Gallant, Vice-President, received her award on March 15, 2008, at the MRA Past-Presidents’ Dinner hosted at the Detroit Athletic Club.

This description of her work is quoted from the MRA website:

As educators we can all look back and think of one teacher that inspired us to make a difference. This year’s recipient of the MRA Teacher Educator Award is one of these people. Dr. Suzanne Standerford, teacher and mentor at Northern Michigan University has made a difference in many students’ lives. She played a key role in helping educators in the Upper Peninsula become active in reviewing the Michigan curriculum standards. She also led the production of videos featuring writing workshops in order to create community awareness about reading and writing. As founder and director of the Upper Peninsula Writing Project; she developed a summer institutes, Saturday seminars, and a fall writing marathon. Dr. Standerford lives the phrase “teacher educator.”

Congratulations, Dr. Standerford, from your colleagues in the National Writing Projects of Michigan!

Photo by Troy Hicks

We are a state network of National Writing Project sites that promote the teaching and learning of writing in schools throughout Michigan.