The South Coast Writing Project (SCWriP) just completed its 34th annual Summer Institute – a four-week think tank for teachers from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties on teaching composition and critical literacy. This invitational institute brings together teachers of all subject areas and grade levels to inquire into the best practices in supporting student writers. The teachers write, read, participate in workshops with visiting scholars, and present an inquiry workshop in order to gain theoretical and practical knowledge about literacy instruction. Upon completion, these teacher-consultants are qualified as curriculum specialists and inservice leaders in composition.
The summer institute develops a cadre of teacher-leaders who conduct open enrollment and school site inservice programs for teachers, schools, school districts, and colleges throughout the central coast of California. “SCWriP is a vital resource for teachers and schools throughout the South Coast interested in improving the teaching of writing, from assignment through instruction to assessment,” says SCWriP director Tim Dewar. “We strive to be a model of professional learning, teacher leadership, and reform.”
The South Coast Writing Project is a professional learning network for teachers at all grade levels in all subjects. Founded in 1979 as a site of the National Writing Project (NWP) and the California Writing Project (CWP), SCWriP is affiliated with the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at UC Santa Barbara.