In 1998 for the first time, the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) administered a writing assessment at the state level. This report describes the writing achievement of Utah eighth-grade students and compares their overall performance to students in the West region of the United States and the nation (using data from the NAEP…

In 1998 for the first time, the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) administered a writing assessment at the state level. This report describes the writing achievement of Virginia eighth-grade students and compares their overall performance to students in the Southeast region of the United States and the nation (using data from the…

In 1998 for the first time, the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) administered a writing assessment at the state level. This report describes the writing achievement of Wisconsin eighth-grade students and compares their overall performance to students in the Central region of the United States and the nation (using data from the…

In 1998 for the first time, the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) administered a writing assessment at the state level. This report describes the writing achievement of Wyoming eighth-grade students and compares their overall performance to students in the West region of the United States and the nation (using data from the NAEP…

In 1998 for the first time, the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) administered a writing assessment at the state level. This report describes the writing achievement of District of Columbia eighth-grade students and compares their overall performance to students in the Northeast region of the United States and the nation (using…

This report examines the writing portfolio evaluations (administered between 1993-1998) of former Columbia Basin College (CBC) students who transferred to Washington State University (WSU). The WSU writing portfolio acts as a diagnostic aid to assure that all students can be successful college writers. The evaluation is required of all WSU…

This document indicates levels of understanding and ability that all students are expected to achieve as competent readers and writers. It assists Kansas teachers in planning local curricula and assessments for reading, writing, and literature and serves as the basis for the development of state assessments in reading and writing. It presents…

The Moss Point, Mississippi, school district uses a semantic mapping teaching approach called "Writing to Learn" that visually and graphically displays ideas and concepts. Students use computers to work on writing projects, and their achievement scores in the state's reading and writing examinations have increased remarkably. Outlines…

Describes a ghost story writing contest developed by The St. Joseph County Public Library (South Bend, IN) and created to encourage students in grades three to eight to practice writing and to recognize talented writers. Sidebars present a contest timetable and a list of judging criteria for librarians interested in starting writing contests. (JMV)

Grade-level and achievement-level differences were studied in control-related beliefs and relations between students' beliefs and their reading and writing achievement for 364 students in grades 4, 7, and 10. Results suggest that beliefs characteristic of particular achievement levels are not simply reflections of age or grade level. (SLD)

Discusses the IEA Written Composition Study in relation to other IEA studies, national cultural patterns, and research on writing in general. Describes research design problems, development of representative writing tasks, and a scoring scheme based on a system of writing competencies and preferences and their elements. Summarizes preliminary…

Investigates primary classrooms where teachers implemented recommended literacy practices such as: (1) frequently using children's literature; (2) integrating reading and writing; and (3) teaching skills in context. Finds students developed reading and writing skills at higher levels than students in classrooms where teachers used other practices.…

Data on the writing achievement of 11th-grade students in 1990 on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) may help answer the question of who is right: employers and educators who say students are poorly prepared in writing, or parents and students, who are more positive about the results of the writing preparation students receive…

Using Jeanne Chall's widely applied model of reading development, this book examines the strengths and weaknesses in the reading, writing, and language development of children from low-income families to help identify the onset of their difficulties. The book shows how, in the transition from learning the medium to understanding the message, the…

A study examined national examinations in Britain and their effects on what and how students learn. A national questionnaire was completed by 695 teachers across grade levels and 702 of their students at the secondary level in both the United States and Great Britain. Observations were conducted in eight English/language arts classrooms in the two…