NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

02/20/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Northwestern State University will become a new host site for the National Writing Project later this year.

The National Writing Project (NWP) is a network of university-school collaborations designed to improve student achievement by working with teachers at all grade levels and disciplines.

NSU Associate Professor of English Dr. Suzanne Disheroon-Green will be director of the site. Lisa Rougeou, a graduate student at Northwestern and an English/Language Arts teacher for 15 years will be co-director.

"I am pleased that Northwestern was chosen as a host site for the National Writing Project," said NSU president Dr. Randall J. Webb. "The National Writing Project is a proven success story and has played an important role in improving the teaching of writing. Part of the university's mission is to work closely with area school systems. This program will allow us to collaborate with teachers and schools to improve student achievement."

Teachers from Avoyelles, Bossier, Caddo, Catahoula, Desoto, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon and Winn parishes can participate in the National Writing Project at NSU.

"The teachers who participate in the National Writing Project will be trained to be better writing teachers. They will also be available to teach colleagues what they have learned," said Green. "That knowledge will make its way to the classroom quickly. Students should benefit from this program almost immediately."

Green emphasized that the NWP trains teachers in all subject areas.

"We hope to enroll teachers from a broad range of subject areas," said Green "Teachers in math, science and social sciences are encouraged to participate as well as English and language arts teachers."

A 2000-2001 study by the Academy for Educational Development showed the NWP has a positive impact on writing instruction. The writing skills of more than 700 third and fourth grade students taught by writing project teachers were evaluated. The study found that by the end of the school year, students' scores showed significant increases for both effectiveness in persuasive writing as well as usage, mechanics and spelling.

"The writing project improves the quality of student instruction and the quality of student preparation for college," said Green. "That is an important issue for students seeking TOPS scholarships and the higher admissions standards which take effect in the fall of 2005."

The National Writing Project has more than 175 sites in all 50 states. More than 136,000 educators are served by the sites.

For more information, contact Green at (318) 357-5327 or green@nsula.edu, Rougeou at lrougeou@hotmail.com or nsuwp@nsula.edu. Information can also be obtained at www.nsula.edu/langcomm/nationalwritingproject.htm.

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