The Nebraska Writing Project is committed to the idea that the purpose of teaching writing is part of a broader approach to a literacy-based education. Literacy-based education goes beyond mechanics, conventions, and handwriting; it involves the creative, high-level, and interrelated processes of reading, writing, and thinking.
- Encourages individuals to explore and develop their unique and shared identities and experiences
- Empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and others.
- Enables individuals to communicate in effective ways.
A literacy-based education involves multiple on-going opportunities for reading, writing, and thinking in an environment responsive to individual needs and abilities. Such an environment is committed to providing opportunities for:
- Student choice and support in exploration of individual and group interests.
- Constructive and specific feedback that encourages, challenges, and fosters the reading, writing, and thinking processes.
- Time for respectful dialogue with others, reflection, and revision.
- Access to a wide variety of literature.
- Publication and sharing of writing.
- Developing twenty-first century skills.
A literacy-based education prepares students for the world of work and expands opportunities for enhanced lives. While students are the primary beneficiaries of a literacy-based education, the school and community are positively impacted as well.
More specific benefits include abilities to
- Make informed decisions in a variety of personal, professional, and civic contexts.
- Process information and contribute new ideas.
- Solve complex problems and anticipate future problems.
- Implement innovative solutions.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively in a global society.
The Nebraska Writing Project supports the following policies and statements literacy and education:
National Council of Teachers of English Position Statements on Literacy:
National Writing Project’s National Reading Initiative
Adopted Summer 2012