The vision of Walla Walla Public Schools is to
have centers of learning which meet the writing
instructional needs of all students. In partnership
with the community, we are committed to excellence
in personalized learning which challenges and supports
all students in becoming effective writers.
Below is the link to the district’s Strategic
Plan for the Instruction of Writing, 2005-2008.
It speaks to the need to create a safe and nurturing
learning environment and to ensure a rigorous program
of student that builds a connection between writing
and the “real world” for students in
preschool through grade 12.
| Strategic Plans and OSPI Links |
OSPI Links:
Students in grades K-5 are assessed three times each year and teachers use data from those assessments to help guide writing instruction in their classrooms. These Common Writing Assessments (given in the fall, winter and spring) were designed by the writing teacher leaders. Committee work continues each year to bring instruction into line with state standards and help students become more capable/confident in their writing abilities.
K-5 Writing Leaders (.pdf)
Middle and high school students receive writing instruction as part of their language arts classes and are assessed within those classes. Common Writing Assessments may be given in 6th grade.
Students in grades 4 and 7 take a writing test as part of the Washington State Measurements of Student Progress (MSP). At both levels there are two tests that each last approximately 90 minutes. The High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) consists of two writing sessions that each last approximately two hours. Meeting standard in the writing tests is a graduation requirement, so students who fail to meet standard in 10th grade are required to take the tests again in 11th and, if necessary, 12th grades.
| Six Trait + 1 Presentations
(powerpoint) |
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