The articles in this journal issue explore the current status of writing instruction and scholarship. The titles of the articles and their authors are as follows: (1) "The Writing 'Crisis': What It Is and What It Ain't" (Rexford Brown); (2) "Freshman English Then and Now: A Report on Student Writing" (James DeMuth and Stephanie Jo Haugen); (3) "Student and Faculty Attitudes: The Quality of Student Writing Skills" (W. Lee Hansen); (4) "A Modest Effort at Reinforcement of Writing Skills" (Isabelle Stelmahoske and Mary Ann Baird); and (5) "Shared Accountability for Schooling and Composition Learning" (Terrance Sheridan). Reviews of selected books for children and adolescents are included. (HTH)