Overcoming barriers and paradigm wars: Powerful evidence-based writing instruction

ABSTRACT

The ability to write is fundamental for learning and achievement across Grades K-12, performance in the workplace, continuing education, college, personal development, and addressing social justice. The majority of our students, however, are not capable writers. We have a body of evidence-based practices (EBPs) and best practices that can make a meaningful difference in writing development for our students. We describe one EBP for writing instruction, the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model of instruction for writing. SRSD results in meaningful improvements in students' writing across grades 1-12 and can be integrated with best practices, including writers' workshop. We then separate fact from fiction regarding this approach for teaching students to write and to engage in reading for writing. Finally, we address paradigm wars and additional barriers to widespread adoption of SRSD in schools, and how to address these barriers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional Resources

1. Harris, K.R., Graham, S., Chambers, A., & Houston, J. (2014). Turning broccoli into ice cream sundaes: Self-regulated strategy development for persuasive writing using informational text. In Gansky, K. (Ed.), Write now! Empowering writers in today’s K-6 classrooms (pp. 87-111). International Reading Association.

This article for teachers describes SRSD instruction for close reading of source text to write to persuade, adaptable for use in grades 3-5, and includes students’ work and teacher reactions. All teacher and student materials, professional learning lesson guides, and the professional development implemented for these teachers can be found for free at: https://figshare.com/articles/pow_tree_twa_for_Writing_Persuasively_from_Source_Text_Lesson_Plans_Materials_and_Tips/5217226/2

2. Two organizations, think SRSD and SRSD online, offer free access to instructional materials, videos, and more at their websites (https://www.thinkSRSD.com and http://srsdonline.org).

These two organizations have invested in high quality, practice-based PD for SRSD face to face or online with impressive results for teachers and students. Both freely share materials and other resources for SRSD instruction with teachers and educational leaders. SRSD researchers voluntarily advise both groups, but receive no financial gain or remuneration from either group. Videos offer examples of SRSD instruction, feedback from students and administrators regarding the results of SRSD writing instruction in their schools, and more. For examples, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmJpzWG3lG0#action=share where teachers and students talk about what SRSD has meant to them, and district gains are shared.

3. The IRIS Center is supported by the U.S. Department of Education and located at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College and disseminates free, engaging online resources about evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices to support the education of all students. A set of modules on SRSD instruction for writing is available at https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/srs/

This set of modules offers an interactive guide to learning how to use SRSD writing instruction, videos of classroom instruction, interviews, and additional resources, and assessment of what has been learned regarding SRSD instruction in writing. A Professional Development Certificate is available to those completing the modules.

Notes

1. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZJcW2niRDc&list=PL_WH4jf4KBHkG6pLfB6ifRA-kl19LWScM&index=12 for a fun and detailed description of the demands writers face (Texas A&M University Speaker Series: Writing Matters, Dr. Debra McKeown, 2019).

2. For an example of SRSD instruction as one part of working for change, see Pooja Patel’s description of SRSD as part of a Kids for Change Project: http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol9/922-patel.aspx/.