OKCPS spotlights districtwide ‘Writing to Learn’ program for elementary schools

OKCPS presented a districtwide Writing to Learn initiative that district staff said expanded from six pilot schools to every elementary site and aligned writing instruction and assessment across preschool through fourth grade.

Dr. Trina Ressler and district leaders described the initiative as a universal delivery model emphasizing explicit, systematic and cumulative writing instruction. Staff said the program used the WIDA writing scoring scale to ground instruction and measurement, incorporated English learner strategies, integrated writing across content areas (for example, using a TWIG science lesson for informative writing) and planned a digital year-end student showcase.

Presenters credited cross-functional teams — content creators, site champions, the English Learners department, curriculum staff and an innovative learning team — for scaling the work districtwide. The initiative included district-level scoring practice for teachers and grade-level collaborative scoring sessions. Staff recognized a large group of teachers, coaches and administrators who contributed to content, facilitation and implementation.

The board stood to acknowledge the group; no action was required. District leaders said the model aims to improve written expression — particularly for English learners assessed with WIDA — and to create a guaranteed, viable curriculum across sites.