Evidence-based Writing Strategies to Transform Your School

It’s your choice!

Teachers can take our SRSD Online course either independently or as part of a group, with each approach offering unique advantages. And in both cases you will always have our online help desk to get you to the finish line.

Independent Learning:
For those who prefer to learn on their own, our SRSD Online course provides the flexibility to progress at your own pace. This allows you to reflect deeply on how SRSD can be tailored to fit your teaching style and meet the specific needs of your classroom.

Group Learning:
Alternatively, taking the course as part of a group nurtures a collaborative environment where teachers can share insights, discuss challenges, and develop common strategies for implementation. This shared learning experience builds a supportive community and enhances understanding through diverse perspectives, with opportunities to practice SRSD techniques and give and receive immediate feedback.

Whether you choose to study independently or in a group, the SRSD Online course equips you with the tools to significantly enhance your students’ writing and learning skills through structured, evidence-based strategies.

SRSD is flexible. We recommend (3) twenty-minute lessons per week.

SRSD is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into various teaching settings and curricula. Whether implemented as a standalone program or embedded within your existing curriculum, SRSD can be adapted to meet the specific needs and schedules of your classroom. While there are no strict time requirements, we recommend incorporating SRSD into your regular teaching routine three times a week, with each session lasting about 20 minutes.

This suggested schedule provides ample time for students to understand and apply SRSD strategies without overwhelming them or significantly disrupting other coursework. By consistently practicing SRSD three times weekly, students can steadily improve and master effective writing techniques, making SRSD a natural part of their learning routine and promoting continuous development in writing.

SRSD is a process that makes it easy to integrate into any curriculum.

SRSD is a flexible process that can be easily integrated into any curriculum or used as your writing curriculum.

Note: Our Integration Specialists collaborate with your team to customize SRSD’s integration into your curriculum and writing processes.

Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) seamlessly aligns with existing curricula such as Amplify (CKLA – Core Knowledge Language Arts), HMH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), Wonders (McGraw-Hill), and Bookworms (Open Up Resources). This alignment is possible due to SRSD’s adaptable framework, which enhances students’ writing skills through explicit strategy instruction and self-regulation techniques. SRSD does not have to be a standalone program or curriculum; instead, it serves as a flexible framework that can be incorporated into your current curriculum.

Here’s how SRSD can complement your existing curricula:

Strategy Integration:
SRSD offers specific strategies for planning, writing, revising, and managing the writing process. These strategies can be seamlessly integrated into the writing components of other ELA curricula, which often focus on structured, process-based writing but may not emphasize self-regulatory practices or specific strategies as deeply.

Enhancing Existing Frameworks:
While many curricula provide structures for teaching reading and writing, they may lack the depth needed to fully develop students’ self-regulation and writing strategies. SRSD fills this gap by offering detailed, scaffolded instruction that enhances students’ understanding and application of the writing process.

Flexibility in Implementation:
SRSD can be aligned with the structured progression of any curriculum. Typically, teachers learn SRSD stages using one genre, and then integrate SRSD strategies within units and lessons, reinforcing and expanding upon instructional goals.

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs:
SRSD is effective for a wide range of students, including those with learning disabilities, English Language Learners, and general education students who struggle with writing. This adaptability makes SRSD a valuable addition to any curriculum, supporting diverse learning needs and ensuring that all students improve their writing abilities.

Yes.

Note: Our Curriculum Integration Specialists work with your team to customize SRSD integration into your daily and weekly implementation process.

If your school or district lacks a dedicated writing curriculum, SRSD offers a comprehensive solution that can serve as your standalone writing program. SRSD is designed to teach students critical writing skills through systematically explicit instruction, strategic planning, self-monitoring, and self-evaluation.

SRSD provides all the essential components needed for a complete writing curriculum:

• Writing Objectives and Goals: SRSD outlines clear objectives and goals, detailing what students are expected to learn and achieve at various stages, all aligned with educational standards and benchmarks.
• Scope and Sequence: SRSD offers a structured, evidence-based scope and sequence that guides the progression of writing and learning skills, organized by genre and learning level.
• Instructional Strategies: SRSD includes a comprehensive set of evidence-based teaching methods, such as direct instruction, modeling, collaborative writing, and independent writing, covering all stages of the writing process: planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
• Materials and Resources: SRSD provides curated texts, writing samples, strategy charts, graphic organizers, and digital tools to support the writing process and exemplify different styles and genres.
• Assessment and Evaluation: SRSD includes formative assessment tools and methods, such as educator rubrics, peer review techniques, and self-assessment opportunities, to monitor student progress and guide instruction.
• Differentiation and Support: SRSD offers strategies to accommodate diverse learning needs, including modifications for students with learning disabilities, English language learners, and advanced writers, as well as additional support and enrichment activities.
• Integration with Other Disciplines: SRSD Online guides applying writing skills across various subjects, creating interdisciplinary learning, and demonstrating the practical application of writing skills in multiple contexts.

These components ensure that SRSD, as a standalone writing curriculum, not only teaches students how to produce coherent and effective text but also helps them develop critical thinking and communication skills essential for academic success and beyond.

Yes.

Reading and writing are deeply interconnected skills that enhance each other. Reading exposes individuals to diverse writing styles, vocabulary, and structures, enriching their language and comprehension abilities. This exposure not only broadens their understanding of different texts but also provides valuable models for effective writing.

Conversely, writing deepens understanding by encouraging critical thinking about language and structure. Engaging in writing can improve vocabulary retention and help individuals organize their thoughts more coherently. Together, regular practice in both reading and writing strengthens overall literacy, making each activity a powerful tool for learning and skill development.

An experienced teacher and leader.

Note: we recommend coaches who do not have weekly classroom instruction responsibilities.

The individuals listed below typically make the best instructional coaches because they combine practical experience with a deep theoretical understanding of teaching and learning. They are also respected within their communities, making them effective agents for change and improvement within schools.

Veteran Teachers
Teachers with extensive classroom experience are prime candidates for instructional coaching. They understand the day-to-day realities of classroom management, lesson planning, and student engagement, enabling them to offer practical and relevant advice.

Educational Leaders
Roles such as department heads, curriculum coordinators, or assistant principals often transition well into coaching positions. Their leadership experience equips them with the skills to manage change and guide professional development effectively.

Passionate Mentors
Some teachers have a natural talent for mentorship and professional support. These individuals are dedicated to continuous improvement, passionate about teaching and learning, and excel at motivating and supporting their colleagues.

Educators with Coaching Training
Teachers who have received formal training in instructional coaching through professional development courses or certification programs bring a structured and informed approach to the role. They understand coaching models, communication strategies, and adult learning principles, which are essential for effective coaching.

Specialist Teachers
Teachers with specialized knowledge in subjects like literacy or math are also excellent candidates for coaching roles. Their deep subject expertise allows them to help colleagues refine instructional strategies and enhance teaching effectiveness in those areas.

Yes.

SRSD is effective across subjects beyond writing because it promotes critical thinking, structured problem-solving, and clear communication—skills essential for success in any academic discipline. For example, in math, SRSD helps students articulate their problem-solving processes, improving their understanding and ability to tackle complex equations. In social studies, it supports the development of well-argued essays and analyses, enabling students to engage more deeply with historical events and societal issues. By fostering a systematic approach to thinking and expressing ideas, SRSD not only enhances writing skills but also deepens students’ comprehension and engagement across the curriculum, making learning more cohesive and interconnected.

Yes.

SRSD was initially developed over 35 years ago as a robust framework tailored to the unique challenges students with special education needs face when learning to write. Since then, educational researchers have demonstrated its effectiveness with students who have diverse academic needs, including those receiving special education supports and English Language Learners.

Here’s how SRSD provides support for students with diverse needs:

Students Who Receive Special Education Supports

SRSD is highly effective for students with special education needs because it allows for customized, differentiated instruction that meets individual learning abilities. This approach explicitly teaches writing strategies, providing detailed steps for planning, drafting, revising, and editing—essential for students who require clear, structured guidance and repeated practice. Additionally, SRSD emphasizes self-regulation, helping students set goals, monitor their progress, and manage their learning independently. It also builds self-efficacy by enabling students to recognize their achievements due to their effort and strategic approach, empowering those who may have previously faced educational challenges, and making them feel valued and capable.

Moreover, SRSD integrates academic and social-emotional needs. By fostering self-regulation and goal-setting skills, students not only improve their writing abilities but also develop confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset. The collaborative nature of SRSD encourages positive social interactions and helps students build essential interpersonal skills, contributing to their overall emotional well-being. This holistic approach makes educators and researchers feel that they are contributing to students’ overall well-being.

English Language Learners

SRSD is particularly beneficial for English Language Learners because it enhances language development and writing skills through structured text planning and revision. It offers ample opportunities for language practice, aiding students in better understanding and retaining content while developing analytical skills.

To further support language learners, SRSD can be supplemented by integrating culturally responsive text choices and supports such as exemplar texts, transition word banks, and sentence frame scaffolds. Using culturally relevant materials increases engagement and helps students make connections between new concepts and their own experiences. Providing linguistic supports like word banks and sentence frames assists ELLs in constructing coherent and fluent writing, thereby improving their language proficiency and confidence in expressing themselves.

It is not isolated but can be added to the revising and editing lessons.

Although SRSD does not specifically teach grammar, spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure, it enhances writing skills that indirectly support these areas. By focusing on the processes of planning, drafting, revising, and editing, SRSD encourages students to engage more deeply with their text and develop a metacognitive awareness that prompts them to check their writing for grammatical accuracy and clarity. This approach is compatible with other instructional strategies, allowing teachers to integrate targeted grammar and punctuation lessons into the revision and editing stages. Additionally, SRSD’s emphasis on peer and self-assessment helps students identify and correct errors, reinforcing their learning in these fundamental areas and building a stronger foundation for effective writing.

Absolutely.

SRSD Online has developed a training program that aligns with and even surpasses state standards and the Common Core. Our program is meticulously designed to promote critical thinking and strategic writing across various text types, aiming to develop students into versatile writers who can communicate effectively, think critically, excel in standardized assessments, and be well-prepared for college and career readiness. Our program includes the following elements required by the Common Core and State Standards:

Text Types and Purposes:
SRSD teaches students to master writing in various genres, including narrative, informative/explanatory, and argumentative texts. Each genre requires distinct approaches to structure, content, and style.

Production and Distribution of Writing:
SRSD emphasizes the writing process, including planning, revising, editing, and rewriting. Students learn to produce and publish their work and collaborate with peers throughout the process.

Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
SRSD equips students with the skills to conduct research, gather and integrate information from various sources, and present their findings. This includes critically evaluating sources, synthesizing material, and properly citing to avoid plagiarism.

Range of Writing:
SRSD prepares students to write in various contexts and disciplines, catering to different purposes and audiences. This standard encourages frequent writing, supporting both long-term projects and shorter, time-limited tasks.

Writing Arguments:
Older SRSD students learn to write compelling arguments that support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence, while also addressing counterarguments. This type of writing fosters critical thinking and analytical skills.

Informative/Explanatory Writing:
SRSD teaches students to write pieces that convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately, focusing on effective content selection, organization, and analysis.

Narrative Writing:
SRSD also emphasizes the ability to write narratives that develop real or imagined experiences or events, requiring effective techniques, descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.