Central Arizona Writing Project

The Central Arizona Writing Project follows the core principles set forth by the National Writing Project. The core principles at the foundation of NWP's national program model are: Teachers at every level—kindergarten through college—are the agents of reform; universities and schools are ideal partners for investing in that reform through professional development. Writing can and should be taught, not just assigned, at every grade level. Professional development programs should provide opportunities for teachers to work together to understand the full spectrum of writing development across grades and subject areas. Knowledge about the teaching of writing comes from many sources: theory and research, the analysis of practice, and the experience of writing. Effective professional development programs provide frequent and ongoing opportunities for teachers to systematically write and examine theory, research, and practice. There is no single right approach to teaching writing; however, some practices prove to be more effective than others. A reflective and informed community of practice is best positioned to design and develop comprehensive writing programs. Teachers who are well-informed and effective in their practice can be successful teachers of other teachers as well as partners in educational research, development, and implementation. Collectively, teacher-leaders are our greatest resource for educational reform.