Writing Practices for Mainstream Teachers of Middle School English Learners: Building on What We Know Works Effectively

Abstract

Improving the writing of middle-school English learners can improve their academic thinking, literacy, and content knowledge. The Writing Reform and Innovation for Teaching Excellence (WRITE) program uses six high-leverage writing practices and develops teacher capacity through professional learning activities anchored in the group grading of common writing assignments. A recent 2-year evaluation of the WRITE program found that it increased middle-school teachers’ implementation of best writing practices and also improved English learners’ general literacy scores.

Key words:

• English language arts
• English language learners (ELLs)
• English language proficiency
• English learners (ELs)
• literacy
• middle school
• teacher learning
• teacher ­professional development
• WRITE program
• writing

Additional information

Funding

The U.S. Department of Education Institute for Education Sciences provided funding for this study.