Date of Award
5-2009
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Educational Leadership
Abstract
This study had two purposes; the first was to study 12 English teachers' scoring of 30 randomly selected student writing samples gathered in the years of 2005, 2006, and 2007 in the Fargo Public School District. The 12 teachers were separated into three groups. Group A (four teachers) served as the control group, as they have been trained and currently score student writing samples. Group B (four teachers) were teachers who have been trained in the use of the Six Traits of Writing Model, but have not scored student writing samples. Group C (four teachers) were teachers who have neither received training using the Six Traits of Writing Model nor scored student writing samples.
The second purpose of this study was to investigate the professional development training teachers have received on the Six Traits of Writing Model or other writing programs. A qualitative survey was given to the teachers in Groups A, B, and C to solicit responses and perceptions they have on writing programs.
Writing samples using the Six Traits of Writing Model have been collected and scored by the Fargo Public School District trained English teachers beginning in 2002. The Six Traits of Writing Model was first used in this school district beginning the school year of 2002-2003. All teachers in the Fargo Public School District have been trained in using the Six Traits of Writing Model, and, every year, teachers new to the district are trained in using the Six Traits of Writing Model. The Six Traits of Writing Model is incorporated district wide and across every curriculum.
The Six Traits of Writing Model focuses specifically on the following six components when analyzing student writing samples. They are ideas and development, organization, word choice, voice, sentence fluency, and conventions and presentation.
Based on the data collected, the researcher found that the results revealed that teachers from Groups A, B, and C did score writing samples differently based on training and practice, although it was not significant. Additionally, the qualitative survey provided perceptive data from teachers as to the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of professional development programs used in the past and currently.
Recommended Citation
Nygaard, Michael G., "Impact of Student Achievement Through the Use of the Six Traits of Writing Model" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 881.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/881