2009-2010 Self-Study WASC Action Plan - Julian Charter School

WRITING
Action Plan #4 (2003-2009): Develop a detailed plan to improve
writing skills at the 6 th -12 th grade levels.
As a school we have worked hard to find curriculum and methods of
teaching writing that work well for home study students (kindergarten
through grade 12) comparable to the instruction academy
students receive from a certificated teacher at least twice a week.
The sequence of work in the improvement of writing skills has
included some trial and error and some good progress:
• Initial program implementations included Step up to
Writing and Criterion Online Writing Evaluation.
• Provided K-8 student and parent training on the 4-Square
Writing Method.
• The Strategies for Writers curriculum, a structured textbook
approach, was chosen to contrast with the Step up to Writing
program for families needing additional lesson detail.
• The subscription to Criterion Online Writing Evaluation was
cancelled as the program was not useful in helping students
evaluate or improve their writing.
• English specialists began working with grades 9-12 as the
specialist program was implemented.
• A mandatory writing class (or its equivalent in the academy
program) was implemented as a requirement for graduation.
The class is open to eighth graders, but is mandatory
for home study ninth graders who have not fulfilled the
requirement or passed the challenge exam. Eleventh grade
students new to the school are required to take the class
unless they have taken and passed the English portion of
the CAHSEE. Instruction is offered in a variety of ways,
including an online class.
• English and language arts PLCs are established; wikis used
for teamwork, collaboration, and document sharing.
• Elluminate writing classes are offered for middle schoolers.
• More K-8 teachers are trained to use Excellence in Writing
materials; writing seminars with author Andrew Pudewa.
• Schoolwide writing samples (writing portfolios grade 9) are
collected at specified grade levels and timelines and scoring
methods calibrated (beginning stage).
• Student work samples are analyzed to improve instruction
and product production.
Chapter 3: Progress Report
Julian Charter School Focus on Learning 2009-2010 35