Writing is basic to thinking about and acquiring knowledge, not just information, in all fields as well as to communicating that knowledge. To become a skilled writer, one must be a critical thinker, a good organizer, and a synthesizer of information. We believe that to be literate requires proficiency in both reading and writing. The two are inseparable. The school's curriculum will emphasize process writing, coaching and conferring, student publications, writing in the content areas, and integration of subject areas.
Writing is central to performance-based assessment.
We believe that collaborative assessment and evaluation, which includes students, teachers, and parents, is essential to success. We believe, too, that authentic performance-based assessment most accurately measures the goals we have set. Progress in all subject areas can be measured by assessing and evaluating the process and products of writing. To meet Goal 3 of Blueprint 2000, Florida's plan for school improvement and educational accountability, the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings school will develop a strong foundation in literacy with an emphasis on learning to write well so that students can successfully compete at the highest levels nationally and internationally and be prepared to make well-reasoned, thoughtful, and healthy lifelong decisions. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings lived in Cross Creek, Florida for twenty-five years.