The ability to write well is a key to success in many professional, social, community, and civic activities. Therefore, it is essential that all students receive instruction and support that develops their writing skills from the early grades onward. By building the skills that make effective writers, teachers provide students with the tools to communicate their ideas, express their feelings, and engage with diverse audiences.

High-quality writing instruction provides students with daily time to practice writing; teaches students to work through the steps of the writing process, including editing and revision; focuses on building foundational skills that support writing, including spelling, grammar, and handwriting and word processing; and creates an engaged community of writers by allowing students the opportunity to choose their own topics, interact with each other's writing and be recognized as authors.

To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Teaching Elementary Students to Be Effective Writers.