SRSD Classroom Results: The Science of Writing
Yes, SRSD research is essential, but nothing compares to witnessing the dramatic change in your students before and after essays. Seeing tears of frustration become cheers of excitement as they ask for more writing is truly inspiring. Experiencing this growth firsthand is the most powerful proof of SRSD’s impact on your classroom.
“After 20 years of teaching, I know my students’ writing has never looked like that! SRSD has not only changed the way my students think and write, but it has changed the way I perform as an educator.”
Kelly Neff
Literacy Coach
The inspiring transformations in student writing are endless and truly showcase the effectiveness of Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). The featured before-and-after essays, like this one from a diligent 7-year-old second grader, showcase dramatic enhancements in structure, clarity, and content coherence. Before SRSD, the student’s writing was simple and underdeveloped; however, after just twelve 20-minute SRSD lessons, the same student produced a well-structured and thoughtful essay on a related topic. These examples not only reflect the remarkable improvements in students’ writing skills but also underscore the power of SRSD in nurturing independence and confidence in young writers.
"Countless teachers and their principals have reported that SRSD has transformed their approach to teaching writing and other academic subjects. Principals have gone out of their way to tell me that SRSD PD has improved the overall teaching effectiveness of their faculty."
Alyson Collins
SRSD Researcher
Title 1 Specialist
Julie Rigo Success Story
This video features a Title One Specialist sharing a heartwarming story about a struggling middle school student, once one of the lowest achievers in English Language Arts, who transformed his academic path by winning a countywide opinion writing competition using SRSD. Teachers will find this story incredibly inspiring as it highlights the powerful effect of targeted instructional strategies on both student confidence and achievement, reinforcing the critical role educators play in shaping student success.
"Seeing a student transform academically and personally reminds us that it's not just about the teaching but about connecting with a process that truly resonates with the student. This experience has deeply reinforced my belief in the power of tailored educational strategies to change lives."
Julie Rigo
Title One Specialist
Persuasive Genre Classroom Data Results
Evidence-based SRSD goes far beyond simple mnemonics— it reshapes how students read and write to learn. In this video from a third-grade classroom featuring SRSD creator Karen Harris, you’ll witness dramatic improvements in planning and writing quality as students advance through SRSD instruction, surpassing their peers in control classrooms who lack these strategic tools. By the end, students confidently take ownership of their new writing skills, demonstrating impressive mastery. Watch how SRSD can revolutionize classroom learning and elevate student success.
"It’s not just about mnemonics; it’s about students taking charge of their learning. Teachers experience dramatic improvement in their classrooms for writing and learning.”
The inspiring transformations in student writing are endless and truly showcase the effectiveness of Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). The featured before-and-after essays, like this one from a diligent 7-year-old second grader, showcase dramatic enhancements in structure, clarity, and content coherence. Before SRSD, the student’s writing was simple and underdeveloped; however, after just twelve 20-minute SRSD lessons, the same student produced a well-structured and thoughtful essay on a related topic. These examples not only reflect the remarkable improvements in students’ writing skills but also underscore the power of SRSD in nurturing independence and confidence in young writers.
"Seeing how she improved with SRSD is just amazing! She was struggling with the most basic sentences, and it seemed overnight that she was writing clear, organized essays full of confidence and details. It really shows how great SRSD is at helping our kids get better at writing."
Second-Grade Teacher
SRSD Results
Using Reading to Write
Here, we witness Randy, a 10-year-old who initially struggled with writing and disliked the process. With the integration of SRSD, Randy’s approach to learning changed dramatically as he began to engage more deeply with texts, applying strategies to improve comprehension and expression. His structured and thoughtful responses to writing prompts highlight his progress. This video illustrates how SRSD not only enhances writing skills but also nurtures a broader academic engagement and strategic thinking that can be applied across subjects.
"I've seen so many students like Randy who once struggled and disliked writing become confident and effective communicators. SRSD empowers them to meet new academic demands, and with the right instruction and support, even our youngest learners can exceed expectations."
Karen Harris
SRSD Creator
2nd and 4th Grade Results
Before and After
This video compellingly demonstrates how the SRSD approach not only improves writing skills but also enhances students’ strategic thinking and confidence. It is a valuable resource for teachers seeking to bring these abilities to their students. Second-grader Sarah and fourth-grader Paige transform from struggling writers into budding authors by learning about structure, transitional words, and persuasive techniques. For example, Paige writes a well-organized, persuasive essay on why children should be paid to attend school, showing her newfound ability to articulate complex ideas.
This essay showcases a heartfelt adventure by a first-grade student expressing his fondness for winter, emphasizing the joy and activities that make it his favorite season. The handwritten response to the prompt reveals a charming narrative about engaging in snowball wars, which are always a thrill, and the excitement of ice fishing with a friend named Mark. This youthful composition not only captures innocent pleasures found but also highlights this student’s budding ability to communicate personal experiences and preferences through writing—a remarkable feat for someone his age.
Literacy Coach Brit Sikes' Success Story
Brit Sikes' enthusiasm for teaching writing is infectious and illustrates a transformative approach to literacy education. By nurturing a genuine excitement for writing among students, Brit demonstrates how changing students' attitudes can lead to greater independence and deeper engagement with writing. This video is a must-watch for teachers looking to inspire their students and cultivate a positive, enthusiastic learning environment that challenges the traditional struggles associated with writing.
"The biggest shift I’ve seen is in their attitude about writing—students now ask me with excitement if we’re going to be writing today, which is amazing for such a challenging task. It’s even more rewarding to see them becoming independent writers and focusing on their ideas instead of just the mechanics."
SRSD Classroom Researcher
Dem McKeown Success Story
Deb McKeown shares a powerful SRSD success story about a young student who went from writing just a few words to composing extensive stories that moved his mother to tears, highlighting the dramatic improvement in student writing capabilities. Teachers watching this video will find compelling evidence of how structured writing strategies can unlock a child’s potential for educators seeking to bring significant academic and emotional growth to their students.
"After witnessing this amazing story in one of my students, I truly believe that the right teaching strategies can unlock a child's potential to express themselves through writing. SRSD is not just about improving grades; it's about changing lives, one student at a time."
Deb McKeown
SRSD Researcher
9-Year-Old Case Study
It is evident in the “before and after” writing samples of Kelly, a 9-year-old student, underscores the impact of the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) approach. Before SRSD, her writing needed more organization and complexity, focusing merely on basic ideas about fitness. After undergoing SRSD training, her writing evolved significantly, demonstrating a structured argument on why children should wear helmets, complete with reasons, examples, and a conclusion. This marked improvement highlights how SRSD equips students with critical thinking skills and strategies for planning, writing, and revising, which are essential for academic success and beyond.
The “before and after” writing samples of Kelly, a 9-year-old student, clearly demonstrate the impact of the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) approach. Before SRSD, her writing lacked organization and complexity, focusing only on basic ideas. After undergoing SRSD training, her writing evolved significantly, presenting a structured, complete with reasons, examples, and a conclusion. This marked improvement highlights how SRSD equips students with critical thinking skills and strategies for planning, writing, and revising—essential tools for academic success and beyond.
Note: Kelly was a struggling writer, scoring below the 33rd percentile (Norm-Referenced Achievement Test). Corrected for spelling only, here is her “before SRSD” writing sample:
Here is Kelly’s “after SRSD ” writing sample:
“Kelly is now on the playing field with many essay parts. Ideation was not her problem. Now, we can teach her editing and revising strategies. Kelly told her teacher how much fun writing is now!”
– Karen Harris, SRSD Creator
The Science of Writing
Karen Harris's comprehensive 18-chapter video presentation offers her in-depth exploration of the power of Self-Regulated Strategy Development. It demonstrates how 40 years of evidence-based research have revolutionized writing instruction. You'll discover why writing is challenging to master and how SRSD empowers students to become independent and confident writers. Featuring real student examples that showcase remarkable before-and-after progress and data proving SRSD's effectiveness over traditional methods, this presentation covers everything from integrating reading and writing to providing teachers with manageable and impactful professional development. Whether you're interested in cost-effective solutions, improving state exam results, or witnessing the joy of writing come alive in students, this series offers compelling insights that inspire educators to rethink their approach to writing instruction.
"I'd love for you to check out my video series on Self-Regulated Strategy Development. With over 40 years of research behind it, SRSD has totally changed the game in writing instruction. You'll see real student transformations and find out how to help your students become confident, independent writers. Let's rethink how we teach writing together!"
