Administration’s Budget Proposal Writes Off Writing

Successful Program Slated For Elimination

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 8, 2008—National Writing Project (NWP) teachers, students, and supporters expressed their disappointment in the President's FY09 budget request to Congress, which again has targeted this successful program for elimination.

With close to 200 university-based sites in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the National Writing Project is the only national program designed to improve the teaching of writing in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Through its unique professional development model, NWP builds the leadership, programs, and research needed for teachers to help their students become successful writers and learners.

The administration claims that states may support such activities through flexible programs such as Improving Teacher Quality State Grants. However, national and local research studies demonstrate that the national network of writing project sites with its model of professional development improves classroom instruction and, as a result, student writing achievement.

“The importance of writing and the success of the National Writing Project have been demonstrated time and time again,” said Sharon J. Washington, NWP executive director.  “As we’ve done in the past, we will take our case to Congress and we will work hard to ensure America’s students and teachers continue to have access to this highly effective program.”

The National Writing Project is a nationwide network of educators working together to strengthen writing instruction in America’s schools. Independent evaluation finds that students in the classrooms of NWP teachers make significant gains in writing achievement. For more information, visit www.nwp.org.