2015-2016 INFORMATION FACT SHEET
Find updates at: www.csun.edu/writingproject or @NorthridgeWP
History
In 2009 the Cal State Northridge Writing Project (www.csun.edu/writingproject ) became an official site of
both the National Writing Project (NWP at www.nwp.org ), a nationwide professional development
network of more than 200 sites serving teachers of writing at all grade levels, and in all subjects, and the
California Writing Project (CWP at www.californiawritingproject.org ). National research studies have
confirmed significant gains in writing performance among students of teachers who have participated in
Writing Project programs; for 37 years the National Writing Project was the only federally funded program
focused on teaching writing. Until 2011, support for the NWP was provided by the U.S. Department of
Education, foundations, corporations, universities, and K-12 schools. Support for the Cal State Northridge
Writing Project is currently provided by grants from the California Writing Project, NCLB funds through the
California State Department of Education and the University.
Mission
The mission of the Cal State Northridge Writing Project is to improve student achievement by improving the
teaching of writing in the San Fernando Valley and beyond. We work to do so by focusing on writing and
the teaching of writing at all academic levels—kindergarten through university. Every year, over 30,000
teachers participate in California Writing Project campus, school, and district programs. These teachers,
representing all grade levels, from kindergarten through university, often teach in disciplines other than
English. Project sites also provide programs that serve administrators, paraprofessionals, students, and
parents. Following the model of these sister projects, during 2012-2013 we had a direct impact on the
learning of over 500 teachers through our programs. We have joined the National Writing Project’s Urban
Sites Network, the Technology Liaisons Network, and the ELL Network to support our efforts as we expand
our offerings.
Program Offerings
 The Invitational Summer Institute. The core of Writing Project site work is a four-week, hundred
hour institute providing immersion in writing and the study of writing instruction. Faithful to the
NWP's model of "teachers teaching teachers,” our Invitational Summer Institutes (2009-2015) have
been transformative for the K-university teachers who participated. (Nationwide, researchers have
concluded that this teacher change relates to the degree of immersion in the Institute's writing
activities and confidence inspired by intensive collaborative professional work.) Following the
Invitational Summer Institute, our Teacher Consultants make their first public presentation at our
Write to Literacy Conference each fall. Many have since presented at local, state, and national
conferences. Book chapters, as well as a number of articles and book reviews inspired by Institute
work and written by our TCs, have been accepted for publication in referred journals.
 Open Institutes. Open Institutes offer opportunities to bring teachers together for several days of
in-depth learning on a single subject. Since 2011, our Open Institutes have focused on a broad
range of topics including teaching academic language to ELLs, effective writing instruction,
connecting reading and writing, and a number of CCCSS-aligned topics. See the chart on a following
page for more specifics. Current offerings are advertised at www.csun.edu/writingproject.
Department of Secondary Education
California State University, Northridge
11811 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8265
Kathleen D. Rowlands, Director
818-677-2534
writing.project@csun.edu
www.csun.edu/writingproject
 The Write Stuff: Young Writer’s Camp. Held during the summer, our Young Writer’s Camp for
students in grades 1-12 offers participants multiple choices. By the end of camp, each student
produces at least one piece for publication. When funding allows us to do so, we offer scholarships.
During the school year we offer students specialized sessions such as “Writing the College
Application Personal Statement,” “Successful On-Demand Writing, and “Writing Beyond High
School.”
 The Write to Literacy Conference. This fall conference serves multiple purposes. It provides a
venue for our new Teacher Consultants to make their first public professional presentations. It
provides a reasonably priced, centrally located professional learning opportunity for teachers at all
grade levels interested in improving writing instruction. It offers students from the College of
Education an opportunity to experience a professional conference. Nationally known speakers such
as Kelly Gallagher, Penny Kittle, Carol Booth Olson, and Troy Hicks have been keynoters. Carol Jago
is our 2015 keynote speaker.
 ISAW (Improving Student Academic Writing). Developed by teachers from the California Writing
Project, this statewide community of teachers, high school through university, is engaged in a
collaborative inquiry into improving students' academic writing and critical reading. Researchverified results (http://californiawritingproject.org/Teachers/isaw.html) reveal improvement in
students’ writing in ISAW classrooms statewide. We hold annual ISAW workshops.
 Open Institutes. In response to specific requests, we offer Open Instutitues on various topics during
the summer and throughout the academic year. Past seminars have included Teach-nology: Literacy
Strategies for Today’s Digital Natives, Action Research in Your Classroom, Grant Writing for
Teachers, Beyond the Five-Paragraph Essay, Introduction to the California Common Core Standards
for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/ Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects,
Understanding the SBAC Performance Tasks, and Demystifying the New ELD Standards. These lowcost seminars are open to the public. We provide professional development for 100 or more
teachers annually through these opportunities.
Future Site Work
In addition to professional development offerings for individual teachers, we provide professional
development programs for local schools and districts (see listings of possible offerings.) with the
contracting agency using professional development, bilingual, or other funds to pay for services. Following
the model of other sites, we use monies earned from site work to develop programs that we can offer at no
charge or well below our cost. To date we have provided professional development programs for the Green
Dot Schools, Sinai Akiba Academy, Reseda High School, Lancaster High School, Valley Academy of Arts and
Sciences, Julie Korenstein Elementary School, Elizabeth Learning Center, Grimmway Academy, Barack
Obama Charter School, Hale Charter Academy, Ingenium Charter School, the Fillmore Unified School
District, and others.
Department of Secondary Education
California State University, Northridge
11811 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8265
Kathleen D. Rowlands, Director
818-677-2534
writing.project@csun.edu
www.csun.edu/writingproject
The Cal State Northridge Writing Project provides the following services to teachers and schools. See
www.csun.edu/writingproject for specifics, follow us @NorthridgeWP, or like NorthridgeWP on Facebook.
Offering
Times and Dates
The Invitational Summer Institute
June and July
Open Institutes
Summer and throughout the year.
The Write Stuff: Young Writer’s
Camps for Students Entering Grades
1-12
Three weeks in the summer.
Individual sessions for targeted
student groups are offered
throughout the year.
ISAW (Improving Student Academic
Writing) Workshops for Teachers in
Grades 6-12
Open Institutes
A series of informational sessions.
Book Groups, Study Groups, and
Writing Groups.
As requested by participants.
Professional Development for
Schools or Districts*
Developed to suit the needs of
individual schools and districts.
As scheduled. TBD
Additional Information
15 participants, K-college earn a
stipend for completing the 100 hour
program and becoming TCs.
Various topics. We are planning one
on the CCCSS and the new ELD
Standards and one on CCCSSaligned history/social studies
instruction among others.
Various offerings for different age
groups and different interests. Cost
includes all materials, a juice and
cookie snack, and the student
publication.
Registration includes a continental
breakfast and all materials.
Seminars have included: Writing a
Conference Proposal, Action
Research, Grant Writing for
Teachers, and Teach-nology.
Two to six sessions as determined
by participants. Prices vary
depending upon length and cost of
materials.
As an affiliate of the California and
National Writing Projects, we are
authorized by the No Child Left
Behind (NCLB) Act and the California
State Board of Education to provide
professional development.*
Prices vary based on services
provided.
Additional information available at http://www.csun.edu/writingproject
* The Cal State Northridge Writing Project's professional development programs are designed to suit the needs and
interests of individual schools and districts. We can provide hands-on, interactive workshops during or after the school
day, as well as on-site coaching, and assistance with curriculum and planning. Our teacher consultants work
collaboratively with school and district personnel to ensure that the professional development offered addresses the
teachers' concerns and contributes to the long-range plans of the school or district. For detailed information about our
professional development workshops and consultations, as well as information about potential funding assistance,
contact Kathleen Rowlands.
Department of Secondary Education
California State University, Northridge
11811 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8265
Kathleen D. Rowlands, Director
818-677-2534
writing.project@csun.edu
www.csun.edu/writingproject
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS
The professional development workshops and consultations offered by the Cal State Northridge
Writing Project include:
 The California Common Core State Standards in English/Language Arts, and Literacy in
History, Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects; an introduction to the CCSS and/or
aligned curriculum development, grades K-12
 The literacy needs of English Language Learners and the new CCCSS-aligned ELD standards
 Developing a literacy-infused STEM curriculum
 Using Writers’ Workshop
 Teaching writing from prewriting to editing to publishing for emergent through fluent
writers
• Developing reading‐writing connections with a focus on adopted programs and texts
• Writing to learn and think within the disciplines
• Moving from personal and fictional writing to information‐based and expository writing
• Infusing 21st century technologies to develop literacies in all disciplines
• Addressing issues of convention and correctness: grammar, punctuation and usage
• Responding to student writing
• Evaluating student writing at all grade levels; creating authentic assessments for writing
• The literacy development of students with special needs
FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS CONTRACTING WITH THE CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE WRITING PROJECT
As an affiliate of the National Writing Project and a site of the California Writing Project, the Cal State
Northridge Writing Project is authorized under NCLB, Title II, Part C as a provider of standards‐aligned
professional development for teachers and administrators; and eligible for funding under:
o Title I, Part A: professional development and mentoring programs for Title I schools and teachers.
o Title II, Part A: professional development for helping teachers meet NCLB teacher requirements
AND professional development in subject‐matter knowledge, improving teaching skills, assisting
teachers to use California’s academic content standards and student achievement standards, and
state assessments to improve student achievement.
o Title II, Part D: professional development focused on enhancing education through technology.
o Title III, Part A: professional development focused on improving instruction for English learners.
o Title VII, Part A: professional development focused on improving the instruction of Native American
students.
Contact Kathleen D. Rowlands (krowlands@csun.edu or 818‐677‐2556) for additional information.
Department of Secondary Education
California State University, Northridge
11811 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8265
Kathleen D. Rowlands, Director
818-677-2534
writing.project@csun.edu
www.csun.edu/writingproject