About the Massachusetts Writing Project _________________________________________________ The Massachusetts Writing Project (MWP), a state-wide non-profit learning and literacy network of four writing project sites, is the local initiative of the National Writing Project (NWP) whose premier effort is to improve writing in America. The National Writing Project’s professional development model has stood the test of time and research. After 32 years, the NWP remains one of the nation’s most cost-effective and successful professional development programs. The Massachusetts Writing Project uses the NWP “teachers teaching teachers” model to develop teacher knowledge and leadership, which promote improvement in student achievement. For 25 years, the MWP has made improving the quality of writing and learning in Massachusetts schools its central mission. The recognition that writing must be a central focus in all classrooms, if schools are to improve student performance, is gaining ground nationally and in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), which includes a writing component, is the standard for graduation. The new SAT exam for college-bound students will include a written essay requirement. The number of students performing at the Proficient and Advanced levels on the 2005 MCAS test declined as much as 6 percent at grades 3, 4 and 7. The Massachusetts Department of Education, under Commissioner David P. Driscoll, has stated it is strongly committed to achieving the national and state literacy goals for the state’s young children. The National Commission on Writing, in its report, The Neglected “R”: The Need for a Writing Revolution, urged the nation’s leaders to “put writing squarely at the center of the school agenda.” To address these challenges the Massachusetts Writing Project invites administrators and teachers to form partnerships with us to ensure that every student is taught by a highly skilled teacher of writing. Using a model of university-school collaboration and summer and school-year programs, MWP can provide standards-aligned, nationally tested and researched approaches to improving the writing and learning of all students, in all disciplines. Working together, we can realize the academic promise and potential of Massachusetts’ students.

The Massachusetts Writing Project is a local initiative of the National Writing Project