He also says that his students are clearer about writing expectations. The students have helped plan an essay rubric and are starting to understand that rewriting is a lot more than making a paper neater. Now they understand it's part of the writing process. The quality of their writing has improved because of it. Equipped with 30 new computers and dedicated Internet access, the center serves as a support system for students and teachers.
Students use the center to work independently or receive tutoring and feedback.
A senior credentialed teacher at the center works with all the teachers in planning, designing and assessing writing assignments for their classes. In this way, the writing center provides both direct student support and a safe place for teachers to work on their own practice. UCSD's History and Social Science Project and Algebraic Thinking Institute have implemented programs with many grade 6-12 teachers in the partnership clusters. Like AVID, PAL targets those students in the middle who for one reason or another are not performing at higher levels. Branden Mitchell, a Carver third-fourth grade teacher who had an Hispanic PAL tutor work with one of his students for an entire academic year, says the relationship between the tutor and student paid dividends.