For those of you who aren't teachers, the National Writing project is a nationwide project to train teachers K-16 to teach writing.
I went through the National Writing Project and it changed my teaching completely, and for the better. Teachers are taught to become writers themselves, as well as studying innovative ways to teach writing.
Here's a description from the DEPT of Ed's website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/writing/index.html
And here is a description of the 175 different programs across the country:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/writing/awards.html
The bad news? Once again this year, this program is slated to be cut from the budget.
It was on last year's budget hit list, but was protected, by, among others, Republican Senator
Thad Cochran and
Senator Robert Byrd.
Here is a good story about how it works--local universities provide the training and part of the funding and the federal govt shares the cost.
http://www.detnews.com/2004/schools/0408/16/c04-243162.htm
The irony is that now that the SAT has added a writing sample, this program is slated to be cut.
Please write Sen. Cochran or Byrd, or your local Senators and urge them to protect this strong and innovative program.