Describes some of the thinking behind learning communities, how they have been defined, and considers why they can be effective. Suggests a direction that educators might go to rehabilitate the idea of learning communities because it represents something fundamentally good about human beings in their relations with one another. (SG)

Lists six recommendations made by consultants who evaluated a writing program at Lehigh University. Gives a brief history of the problem that led to each of the recommendations. Offers five tips for others who are thinking of doing a writing program evaluation. (MG)

Discusses how new college students engage in "self-placement" in a writing course by answering a series of questions about themselves and listening to an explanation of the process by instructors. Discusses the effectiveness of this placement program, and presents positive comments from all involved. (PA)

Considers that ever since distance learning technology has enabled colleges and universities to offer courses to students who might otherwise not be able to earn college credit, resistance has emerged on pedagogical or fiscal grounds. Notes that most students in distance learning composition classes indicate that they would participate in such a…

Describes the institutional and programmatic context in which a consultant-evaluation visit was requested at Washington State University and the evaluators' recommendations and subsequent changes that have taken place. Lists five reasons for requesting an evaluation. (MG)

Describes how the purpose of the National Literacy Strategy (NLS) is to provide "a steady and consistent strategy" for raising standards in literacy over a 5- to 10-year period. Discusses reading and writing in the Literacy Hour and evaluation of the strategy. Notes that the NLS in England has been successful to a point. (SG)

Identifies five factors that contributed to the success of a two-week composition inservice teacher education program. (HOD)

Recognizes the critical role parents play in helping young children become successful readers and writers. Describes how the Even Start program encourages families to host a party for a small group of friends and family in their home to help families gain access to the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to create a literate environment in…

Suggests that a successful composition inservice program revolves around four components--theory/knowledge, categories or schema, teacher attitudes, and teacher behavior. Concludes that as teachers acquire knowledge of categories, and as they change attitudes toward self-assessing and revising, they change their behavior. (FL)

Evaluation is crucial for writing centers. Given increasingly tight budgets, writing centers should conduct more sophisticated evaluations. Writing centers should turn to educational program evaluation and select general types of evaluation most appropriate for writing centers, and, congruent with the appropriate types, writing centers should…

To determine the impact of Composition Aides (CA's)--aides hired to assist teachers in giving students increased writing practice--on student opportunity to write in the District of Columbia Schools, a study investigated the characteristics of CA's, their usefulness, and the amount of time they spent performing various activities. During May and…

This booklet is designed to assist schools or school systems in analyzing and evaluating student writing, writing instruction, and the writing program. The basic assumption is that improving the writing program needs to be a school-wide effort coordinated across K-12 grade levels, not an individual or isolated effort. After an overview and advice…

Argues that writing centers can unintentionally emphasize writing-for-evaluation at the expense of writing-for-learning. Proposes that writing centers help students write productive journal entries; coach students in freewriting; appeal directly to students in writing-for-learning courses; and sponsor ongoing faculty education in…

This book focuses on middle school and high school literacy programs that effectively support student learning in an era of national and state standards and high-stakes testing. The book offers a programmatic vision, a set of principles, and real-life examples to guide educators who wish to inform their practice with research-based knowledge to…

Describes the process of designing professional writing courses in the community college curriculum. Discusses the incorporation of computer-assisted composition, reader-centered writing, adult learning styles, interviewing for information, project management, and team design into the curriculum. (MM)