IP 88-2 The National Writing Project: Creating community, validating experience, and expanding professional opportunities.
Abstract
This paper explores the National Writing Project model as it relates to enhancing the professionalism of teachers. It traces the historical development of the National Writing Project (NWP), describes the practices of the NWP summer institutes, and provides an analysis of teachers' satisfaction with their experiences in the summer institutes. Three key features of the project are explored as sources of teachers' enthusiastic support of the NWP: the creation of a community of learners who are all concerned with the effective teaching of writing, the validation of practitioners' lore, and the enhancement and expansion of professional opportunities available to classroom teachers following participation in the summer institute. Modifications of the curricula and organization of summer institutes are suggested. Particular attention is focused on developing action research plans by teachers in all NWP-sponsored summer institutes.
The paper is followed by responses from James Gray, director of the California and National Writing projects, and Harvey Daniels and Steven Zemelman, co-directors of the Illinois Writing Project.