The National Writing Project has become one of the most influential and longest lasting professional development programs in the history of the United States. With 175 school/university sites in 49 states, it has the reputation or being a career-altering professional development experience. This volume looks at the National Writing Project, analyzes what makes it so successful, and shows how other professional development efforts can learn from it.
Preface vii Acknowledgments ix 1. Developing a Network for Teacher Learning and Professional Development 1 The Role of Teachers in Professional Development 2 Educational Reform and Professional Development Networks 4 The National Writing Project: Its Evolution and Development 5 What We Wanted to Know 9 2. The “Model” and the “Work”: Creating a Social Context for Learning 12 The “Model”: The Summer Institute 13 Composing Writing, Composing Teaching 19 Social Practices Leading to Professional Community 21 The “Work”: Setting Cultural Conditions for Professional Learning 31 3. Growing the Network 33 The Summer Institute as the Central Organizing Unit 35 Teacher Consultants: Developing the Leadership of the Network 37 The UCLAWriting Project: An Urban Site 38 The Oklahoma State University Writing Project:A Regional Site 43
Table of contents
Preface vii Acknowledgments ix 1. Developing a Network for Teacher Learning and Professional Development 1 The Role of Teachers in Professional Development 2 Educational Reform and Professional Development Networks 4 The National Writing Project: Its Evolution and Development 5 What We Wanted to Know 9 2. The “Model” and the “Work”: Creating a Social Context for Learning 12 The “Model”: The Summer Institute 13 Composing Writing, Composing Teaching 19 Social Practices Leading to Professional Community 21 The “Work”: Setting Cultural Conditions for Professional Learning 31 3. Growing the Network 33 The Summer Institute as the Central Organizing Unit 35 Teacher Consultants: Developing the Leadership of the Network 37 The UCLAWriting Project: An Urban Site 38 The Oklahoma State University Writing Project: A Regional Site 43 Leadership: The Writing Project Way 47 Social Practices and Network Organizing: A Key Lesson in School Reform 50 4. Portraits in Teaching: Connecting Network Learning, Classroom Teaching, and Student Accomplishment 52 The Initiates: Laura and Lisa 53 Becoming Teacher Leaders: Marlene and Mary 62 The Veterans: Sidonie and Linda 70 The Common Ground 78 5. The National Writing Project: Its Challenges and Contributions 80 Network Way of Organizing: Challenges and Adaptations 81 Networks Embedded in School–University Partnerships 86 Networks, Partnerships, and Coalitions: Occupying a “Third Space” 88 Models and Practices, Not Prescriptions and Recipes 90 Volunteerism Versus Conscription 92 The Changing Social and Political Context 94 Managing Complexity, Diversity, and Change as a Network 95 Professional Development: Joining Inquiry and Community in a Network Context 100 Appendix: Research Design: Teacher Development in a Network Context 103 References 109 Index 113 About the Authors 117