Argues that, if teachers do not ask students to assess their own work, they are likely to turn out not knowing how to consider and evaluate their own performances in school and in life. Discusses requesting self-assessment from students; framing and understanding self-assessment; how to ask for, and respond to, student self-assessment; and…

Offers guidelines for grading essays so that students and parents can see what is expected. Suggests keying a grading scale to the criteria set forth in the guidelines. (FL)

Develops an explanation and a defense of portfolio assessment as a feasible means of assessment in writing classes. Describes some ways of using portfolios and outlines advantages to the portfolio system of grading. (HB)

Notes key points of formative assessment that teachers should incorporate into their writing pedagogy: the writing process works; intensive evaluation is seldom desirable; the teacher is not the only person who can evaluate writing; writing must be taught in every classroom and discipline; writing resources are readily available; and motivation is…

Describes connections between art forgers and assessment practices of student writing in schools. Ponders how students might be encouraged to work more like masters than forgers. Argues that teaching strategies for reflection brings authenticity and encourages reflection in students about their work. Discusses techniques students can use to…

Presents a classroom activitiy in which students scored each others papers using a holistic technique. Explains the benefits of holistic scoring. (FL)

Reports a year-long study of middle school language arts students. Finds that average students who are instructed in the art of reflective analysis by way of the systematic use of reflective questions and reflective events do, in fact, over time become more aware of the increasingly more sophisticated challenges that writers face. (SR)

One minor but irritating problem that most composition teachers face--especially those who handle masses of papers at the high school level--involves coming up with a method of grading that is demonstrably objective but not so rigid that it allows no room for judgment. The author proposes a hybrid grading system: combining numbers and letters. The…

Proposes a hybrid grading system for composition papers which combines numbers and letters (thus providing some objectivity while preserving flexibility) that awards points on a sliding scale (with substantial rewards for content and readability and more limited rewards for mechanics and format) and that helps students see how their papers were…

Maintains that all teachers on interdisciplinary teams in middle schools should teach writing. Examines how content area teachers can use writing to enhance learning. Looks at three levels of student writing (correlated with complexity and time) that may be useful in content area classes. Discusses concerns about writing in content areas. (SR)

Offers several strategies that can be used by social studies teachers to incorporate more writing into their classrooms. (FL)

Outlines a writing-across-the-curriculum program for high schools. Discusses the role of content area teachers in such a program. (FL)

Discusses how a high school English teacher expanded the audiences for her students' writing by developing an advanced senior writing seminar and using portfolios, peer evaluation, and parent participation. Notes that a community formed and was held together by mutual respect. (RS)

Considers what high school activities helped prepare students to write papers in college. Discusses how students' responses help teachers to see what students found useful (or not) in their high school preparation. Concludes that students addressed four aspects of their high school writing experience that affected their level of preparation:…

Examines why writing instruction is mired in traditional practices, textbook dependency, and teacher-centered/maintenance-oriented methodologies. Contends that influences for the status quo in language arts instruction will remain powerful, but a metamorphosis of writing instruction is essential. (MS)