One out of every five students in fourth and seventh grades received a score of strong or outstanding and one in six 11 th graders received a strong or outstanding score. It is a basic skill that all students need to succeed in life. In the past few years, our central office support staff has done extensive training to give teachers effective tools to use in the classroom to improve students writing. Our writing assessment scores show that the changes we ve made have worked. The schools that made the biggest improvements in writing assessment scores had one thing in common.
Writing is a school-wide priority in all subjects and grades.
An emphasis on writing in all subjects and grades coupled with a high attendance rate have made a significant impact on the improvements in writing scores, said Principal Dr. Joe Phillips. The changes include a program in kindergarten and first grade to increase parent involvement in students reading skills. In every class in every grade, students practice writing and correcting their work. The school has emphasized teacher training in writing skills and uses technology and other tools daily in every classroom to practice writing. High expectations are set for students and every class in every grade is required to include writing, said Principal Gary Seymore.