@CWPFairfield We Matter. Investing in Teacher Leadership, Innovation, Connected Learning, and Youth Literacies.

Megan Zabilansky, Joel Barlow High School and me at the
LRNG event in NYC on February 17th, 2015

I am beginning this morning's post with a declaration to the world: The Connecticut Writing Project at Fairfield University makes a tremendous difference in the lives of teachers, schools, young people, and writing. For the last 30 years, we have proudly carried forth the National Writing Project mission of providing research-based, effective practices for literacy instruction in Connecticut. Similar to CWP-Storrs and CWP-CConn, we work tirelessly, 365 days a year, to promote the writing of young people and their teachers through summer institutes, young writers' camps, Young Adult Literacy Labs, workshops, and school-wide professional development.

Yesterday, Governor Malloy laid out budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year which includes de-funding the Connecticut Writing Project. I am using this space here to outline why this is a terrible mistake.

Megan Zabilansky was honored by singer John Legend on Tuesday night for being an educator who shines light on her students. Awarded a LRNG Innovation Challenge Award - one of 14 projects given this prestigious honor - Megan represents the ingenuity needed to change the landscape of American classrooms. The project, "We, Too, Are Connecticut," was collaboratively created with CWP-Fairfield, Central High School, Bassick High School, Darien High School, Staples High School, and Global Studies Magnet at Brien McMahon High School. The teachers who are part of the project met during the Invitational Summer Institute in 2014 and realized that effective literacy practices need partnerships, creativity, out-of-the-box insight, conversation, and teaching that transcends the boundaries of traditional classroom walls. The teachers are offering lessons on ethnography, blogging, Ted Talks, web-design, and podcasting. They are guiding their students as they write their insights and contribute student perspective on education in the 21st century.

In 2011, the federal government cut funding to the National Writing Project but competed successfully for Supporting Effective Educator Development grants offered by the Department of Education. CWP-Fairfield applied for funding through this competition and successfully received several grants over the last three years, including two to support teachers in high needs schools and two to build teacher leadership during the summer months. The State of Connecticut, too, has assisted our work by providing funding to carry forth literacy programs for Connecticut youth. Both the federal government and state government, however, have reduced funding substantially. In fact, our budget has been cut 75% over the last three years at a time when policy makers are discussing the need to close achievement gaps, to build stronger literacy programs, and to prepare teachers for meeting the Common Core State Standards. This is EXACTLY what CWP and National Writing Projects do best.

For the last 50 years, writing project sites have pulled support from Universities, state governments, federal government, and corporate resources to establish programs that have achieved an accolade for being the best professional development for teachers in the nation. National Writing Project teachers present, publish, and enhance the field extensively through a model that works. State and National efforts that invest in teachers is the surest way to improve instruction.

Highlights since I took directorship of CWP-Fairfield in 2011 are plentiful and they are the result of the investment of politicians who believe in public schools. I highlight a few items here.

• In the last three years, CWP-Fairfield has offered summer literacy programs for over 300 youth, including opportunities to write for publication, to counter summer literacy loss, and to receive one-on-one instruction. Almost 48% of these children have been offered scholarship and financial assistance to attend the award-winning programs through our investment in social justice and providing opportunities for ALL kids.
• In the last three years, CWP-Fairfield has trained, coached, and guided 30 teachers to become literacy leaders in the State of Connecticut through intensive summer workshops that invest in educators to share their expertise at their school, at state conferences, and at national meetings. In return, these educators became change-agents who assist colleagues and administrators to stay in touch with literacy instruction that works best.
• In the last year, CWP-Fairifeld began a program to address the needs of English language learners, immigrant students, and refugee youth through a one-of-a-kind program called Ubuntu Academy. Some of the shifting demographics occurring in Connecticut was recently reported in CT Mirror's Special Report: Education, Diversity and Change in Fairfield County, a collaborative project with teachers of CWP.
• Throughout its history, CWP teachers have led the state by providing workshops, conducting professional development at their school, and staying at the top of their game by reading latest publications and taking advantage of the resources provided by the National Writing Project.
• CWP works collectively with organizations like Gear Up and Upward Bound to assist educational opportunities for young people who are named 'at-risk' for dropping out. 
• In the last three years, CWP has worked with two schools, a K-8 one in New Haven and a high school in Bridgeport, to provide over 200 hours of professional development for literacy across the content areas, the use technology to advance literacy instruction, and the building of interdisciplinary curriculum to support the needs of diverse learners.

The work CWP does depends on the financial support of the State of Connecticut and the competitive grants offered by the federal government. The National Writing Project bridges and acts as a liaison between K-12 schools and national universities to help educators stay abreast with writing, reading, oral communication, literature, and digital tools.  It is well known that the nutmeg state has the largest achievement gaps in the nation, and CWP's track record has been consistent - we are one of a few organizations in the state that have worked to counter these gaps in tremendous ways.The news that the State of Connecticut has put funding for the Connecticut Writing Project on the chopping block is disheartening. 

I am writing this post because Megan's smile in the photograph above is a demonstration of the work we do - instruction that has even caught the attention of individuals like John Legend. Through our efforts of investing in excellent teachers like Megan, instruction in Connecticut is greatly enhanced. CWP teachers are dreamers, movers, shakers, and warriors for young people. They are experts in their work and examples of what teachers are capable of doing when resources are put in their hands. It is my hope that legislatures will continue to support the Connecticut Writing Project. The influence of the National Writing Projects on our nation's schools is undeniable. Connecticut should be a champion for the work and not the enemy.

I write this morning to remind myself of all that CWP does and to highlight some of the work so others can help me to promote exactly why we matter. We are a solution for Connecticut's educational ills and to defund the Connecticut Writing Project would be a tragic shame and embarrassment for the state. In contrast, the quality of education students receive in Connecticut could be improved by increasing the funding to programs that work, like ours, rather than calling for their demolition.

Reimagining learning in Connecticut is a necessity. CWP-Fairfield hopes to continue being part of the solution. It's what we've been doing for 30 years, one student and one teacher, at a time.