NWP at ASCD

The National Writing Project (NWP) trains teachers from all walks of life to champion authentic writing instruction in their schools and communities. Teachers who attend NWP institutes at sites across the country and complete inquiry projects in writing instruction become Teacher Consultants who help their students and colleagues find purpose and voice in writing across the curriculum and across media.

Why is the NWP in danger?

Congress cut the NWP because of its earmark status without regard for its incredible, cost-efficient impact on teaching and learning. In fact, the NWP reaches more teachers and students annually than this year's i3 federal innovation grant winners combined. Still, if the NWP is not reinstated in the federal budget as an earmark or as part of the Department of Education's budget, the NWP will be de-funded regardless of its merit and nationwide reach. If defunded, the NWP will face an immediate budget shortfall and local projects will have to scale down their operations, curtailing the future impact of the NWP.

What is #blog4nwp?

The #blog4nwp campaign is a grassroots movement of students, parents, and educators dedicated to the restoration of federal funding for the NWP. The campaign started in mid-March as a weekend blogging marathon and has since grown into collection of over 300 blog posts and countless, tweets, letters, and calls to Congress in support of the writing project.

(Chad Sasing at the ASCD blog)