Common Core Writing Standards: A Guide Using SRSD

Key Components of Effective Writing

Aligning writing curriculum with State, District, and National Academic Testing Standards

As educators across the United States work to meet state, district, and national academic testing standards, it’s crucial to have an instructional framework that aligns with these rigorous expectations and promotes education, literacy, and appreciation of history. Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) offers a research-backed approach to writing instruction that incorporates writing interventions, not only boosting students’ writing abilities but also seamlessly aligning with essential academic standards, such as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), through research to build and present knowledge, while integrating effective pedagogy. In this blog, we’ll explore how SRSD integrates with these standards and provides teachers with the tools to help students succeed academically while meeting testing and curriculum goals by integrating Common Core writing instructions and ideas.

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for writing set clear expectations for what students should be able to do at each grade level to become proficient writers. These standards emphasize several key writing skills for academic success, college readiness, and career development. Let’s look at the primary writing skills outlined by the Common Core and how the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) framework effectively addresses these skills in the classroom.

What are writing skills Common Core?

Key Writing Skills in the Common Core State Standards

The CCSS for writing is divided into three main categories of writing genres that students must master: argumentative, informative/explanatory, and narrative writing. In addition to mastering these genres, students must demonstrate a command of specific skills related to the writing process, clarity of communication, and language conventions.

Here are the primary writing skills emphasized in the Common Core standards:

Writing Arguments

Students must be able to write well-structured arguments that support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. This involves:

1. Developing a clear thesis or claim.
2. Supporting the claim with logical reasoning and evidence.
3. Addressing counterarguments and refuting them effectively.
4. Organizing writing coherently and persuasively.

Writing Informative/Explanatory Texts

Students need to write to convey information clearly and accurately. This type of writing includes:

1. Introducing and clearly explaining a topic.
2. Using relevant facts, definitions, and details to develop the topic.
3. Organizing information in a clear, logical order with appropriate headings and structure.
4. Using technical language and transitions to improve clarity.

Writing Narratives

Narrative writing involves telling a story or recounting events coherently and engagingly. Students must:

1. Develop characters, settings, and plot.
2. Use dialogue, description, and pacing to bring the story to life.
3. Organize events in a logical and practical sequence.
4. Use narrative techniques such as flashbacks, foreshadowing, and multiple perspectives.

Clear and Coherent Writing

Across all genres, the Common Core emphasizes the need for clear, organized, and coherent writing. This includes:

1. Writing with a logical flow of ideas.
2. Using effective transitions to connect ideas.
3. Ensuring that each piece of writing has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Research and Synthesis

Students must be able to conduct research to gather information, integrate it into their writing, and properly cite sources. This involves:

1. Conducting short and extended research projects.
2. Synthesizing information from multiple sources.
3. Evaluating the credibility and relevance of sources.
4. Using evidence to support claims or explain ideas.

Revising and Editing

The writing standards emphasize the importance of revising and editing to improve the quality of writing. Students must:

1. Evaluate their writing for clarity, coherence, and correctness.
2. Make improvements through revisions that strengthen their arguments, narratives, or explanations.
3. Edit for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.

Use of Technology

Students are expected to use technology in their writing, including:

1. Publishing writing using digital tools.
2. Collaborating with others online to develop writing.
3. Using online resources to gather and cite information for research.

Mastery of Grammar and Conventions

In addition to mastering writing genres, students must use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. This includes:

1. Using standard English conventions.
2. Choosing words and sentence structures for clarity and style.
3. Understanding and applying different conventions for formal and informal writing.

How SRSD Addresses Common Core Writing Skills

The Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model is an evidence-based framework that teaches students writing strategies and self-regulation techniques to become independent, confident writers. SRSD helps students master the Common Core writing skills in a structured, explicit manner, providing the tools they need to meet and exceed these standards.

Here’s how SRSD addresses the key writing skills outlined in the Common Core:

1. Writing Arguments

SRSD includes specific strategies for teaching students how to write effective argumentative essays. For example, the POW + TREE strategy teaches students to Pick their ideas, Organize their notes, and then Write and say more. TREE is beneficial for argumentative writing, as it guides students to create a clear Topic sentence, provide Reasons to support their claim, Explain the reasons, and end with a strong Ending. This strategy aligns directly with the CCSS requirements for writing well-supported arguments with logical reasoning and evidence.

2. Writing Informative/Explanatory Texts

SRSD also includes strategies like POW + TIDE for informative writing, which helps students structure their essays around a Topic, Important details, and a clear Ending. This approach ensures that students logically include relevant facts and details, fulfilling the Common Core’s focus on conveying information clearly and accurately.

3. Writing Narratives

For narrative writing, SRSD provides strategies such as POW + WWW, What=2, How=2, which helps students plan and organize their stories by focusing on key elements like Who the story is about, When and Where the story takes place, and What happens. This strategy helps students develop their characters, settings, and plots, meeting the Common Core requirements for creating engaging and coherent narratives.

4. Clear and Coherent Writing

SRSD teaches students how to organize their writing logically and coherently through graphic organizers and structured routines. These tools ensure students’ writing flows smoothly and their ideas are well-connected. By explicitly teaching the planning, writing, revising, and editing process, SRSD helps students achieve the clarity and coherence required by the Common Core.

5. Research and Synthesis

SRSD supports evidence-based writing by teaching students to use evidence to support their claims and integrate information from multiple sources. Strategies like TREE encourage students to provide reasons and evidence in their writing, which aligns with the Common Core’s emphasis on using credible sources to build strong arguments and explanations.

6. Revision and Editing

A core component of SRSD is the emphasis on self-regulation, which teaches students how to evaluate and improve their writing. SRSD provides revision checklists and self-assessment tools that encourage students to look for areas where their writing can be improved, such as adding more details or improving organization. This aligns perfectly with the Common Core’s focus on the writing process and the importance of revision and editing.

7. Use of Technology

While SRSD is primarily focused on writing strategies, it can easily be integrated with technology to meet the Common Core’s requirements for digital literacy. Teachers can use SRSD strategies with digital tools, such as online collaborative writing platforms or research databases, to help students publish their work and conduct research.

8. Mastery of Grammar and Conventions

The Common Core Language Anchor Standards emphasize proper grammar, punctuation, and word choice. SRSD addresses these standards by focusing on language usage throughout the writing process. For example, as students revise their work, they are encouraged to check for correct grammar and punctuation, ensuring that their final drafts meet the Common Core’s expectations for language proficiency.

The Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) framework is a highly effective tool for helping students master the writing skills outlined in the Common Core State Standards. By teaching students both writing strategies and self-regulation techniques, SRSD empowers students to approach writing with confidence, independence, and skill. Whether students are writing arguments, narratives, or informative texts, SRSD provides the structured support they need to meet—and exceed—Common Core expectations.

For educators, SRSD not only aligns with state and national standards but also offers a practical, evidence-based approach to writing instruction and pedagogy that can be tailored to meet their students’ unique needs. By integrating SRSD into the classroom, teachers can ensure that their students develop the writing skills necessary for success on standardized tests, in academic settings, and beyond.

Why Aligning Writing Instruction to Standards Matters

U.S. academic standards provide a foundation for what students should know and be able to do by the end of each grade level, emphasizing key ideas and details essential for academic success. These standards outline essential skills in writing, reading, social studies, science, literacy, English Language Arts, and language, ensuring that students are prepared for college and career readiness. The Common Core State Standards, for example, include specific benchmarks for different writing genres—such as opinion, narrative, and informative writing—and emphasize the importance of clear communication, logical reasoning, and mastery of the English language.

However, while the standards define the what, they often leave the how Dr. Sandra Jones, Chief Academic Officer of SRSD Online, explains:

“Aligning SRSD with Common Core or state standards is essential to ensure students develop the writing skills needed for assessments and the real world. The standards provide a roadmap, and SRSD gives teachers the strategies to guide students toward mastering the skills outlined in those standards.”

SRSD and the Common Core Writing Standards

At the heart of SRSD is a set of strategies that help students develop self-regulation in their writing, making them independent thinkers and writers while fulfilling the Common Core Writing Instructions and Standards. This is particularly important when addressing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for writing, which require students to write effectively across various genres. These genres include argumentative writing, where students must defend a point of view; narrative writing, where students tell stories; and informative/explanatory writing, where they explain or convey information. Understanding text types and purposes is crucial for mastering these genres.

Dr. Jones emphasizes how SRSD dovetails with these expectations:

“The Common Core expects us to teach the three main genres of writing: opinion or argument, narrative, and informative. SRSD helps us address these genres by providing structured, research-based strategies that guide students through every step of the writing process.”

The SRSD framework incorporates mnemonics, graphic organizers, and step-by-step routines to help students plan, write, revise, and edit their work, enhancing their literacy and reading skills across various domains. These tools align with the Writing Anchor Standards outlined in the CCSS, particularly in organizing ideas, using evidence to support claims, and writing with clarity and coherence. The structure provided by SRSD helps students meet these expectations and ensures that they do so independently.

SRSD and the Language Standards

In addition to writing, the Common Core Language Standards focus on ensuring students have a strong command of English grammar, vocabulary, and conventions, such as punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure, all of which are critical components of English Language Arts. SRSD is vital in helping students meet these standards by emphasizing language usage and improving their language competency throughout the writing process.

According to Dr. Jones: “SRSD not only teaches writing strategies but also addresses the importance of vocabulary acquisition and use.” Students learn to choose words for effect, use standard grammar, master the conventions of English, and enhance their literacy, all of which are crucial for the production and distribution of writing. This aligns directly with the Language Anchor Standards in the Common Core, which require students to demonstrate a command of English and use language effectively to communicate.”

Throughout the SRSD process, students are encouraged to reflect on their use of language and literacy, improving their ability to self-regulate not just what they write but how they write it, focusing on key ideas and details and the integration of knowledge and ideas, which is especially important in English Language Arts, reading, social studies, and science, as confirmed by recent research to build and present knowledge. This focus on self-reflection and self-editing helps students meet the high language and writing proficiency expectations outlined in state, national, and common core writing standards.

Using SRSD to Meet Assessment Goals

One of the key drivers of education standards is the goal of preparing students for college and career readiness and academic assessments, such as state tests or the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which enhances literacy and understanding of history across various subjects. The NAEP collects data on student writing performance across different genres and grade levels, providing a national benchmark for writing proficiency. These assessments are designed to measure whether students have the skills they need to succeed academically.

Dr. Jones points out that the Writing to Learn online SRSD course has been explicitly designed to align with the goals of these assessments:

“The Writing to Learn online SRSD course uses language from the Common Core State Standards in rubrics and graphic organizers, making it easier for teachers to align their instruction with assessment goals. These tools help students develop the logical thinking and clarity essential for coherent writing, as required by the NAEP and other state assessments.”

In the SRSD framework, students are taught to write with clarity, coherence, and organization—key components assessed by the NAEP and other standardized tests across various text types and purposes. Using SRSD strategies, students learn to plan their writing, revise their work, and use evidence to support their claims, all essential skills on both classroom and national assessments.

Customizing SRSD to Fit Local Standards and Needs

While the Common Core provides a valuable framework for aligning instruction with national goals, many states and districts have their standards. SRSD’s flexibility also makes it an excellent tool for meeting these local standards.

Dr. Jones highlights how easily SRSD can be adapted to fit different educational contexts:

“Teachers can begin with the genre that follows their program or curriculum and teach the conventions or language skills that are coming up in their program or curriculum. You can adapt the graphic organizers, the scripts, or the rubrics to fit your needs and the needs of the students.”

This adaptability ensures that SRSD can be used in various educational settings, whether a district follows the Common Core, state-specific standards, English Language Arts requirements, or even international benchmarks, thus making it a versatile tool in education. The key is that SRSD provides a research-based instructional framework for writing that can be tailored to meet any set of standards’ specific goals and requirements.

The Role of Self-Regulation in Meeting Standards

One of the most potent aspects of SRSD is its emphasis on self-regulation, much like its approach to fostering effective reading habits. Writing is a complex process, and students often struggle with the challenges of organizing their thoughts, developing ideas, and revising their work, particularly in the context of English language arts, social studies, science, and understanding the history behind the evolution of common core writing standards, including the production and distribution of writing, and the various text types and purposes they encompass. SRSD teaches students how to self-regulate their writing process, breaking it down into manageable steps and giving them tools to monitor their progress.

This focus on self-regulation is closely aligned with the Common Core’s Writing Anchor Standards, which emphasize the need for students to organize and express their ideas clearly, ultimately supporting college and career readiness. SRSD helps students develop the cognitive routines necessary for effective writing. It lets them plan, draft, revise, and edit their work independently, focusing on key ideas and details, boosting their literacy skills. These skills are crucial for meeting academic standards and success in future academic and professional settings.

Expanding SRSD’s Reach: A National Imperative

As more districts, schools, and states look for ways to improve student writing, literacy outcomes, and education overall, SRSD is emerging as a critical solution, incorporating writing interventions and backed by extensive research in areas such as vocabulary acquisition and use and the integration of knowledge and ideas to build and present knowledge. By providing teachers with the tools they need to help students succeed in writing—and by aligning seamlessly with national, state, and district standards—SRSD offers a clear path to improved academic performance.

Dr. Jones emphasizes that expanding SRSD’s reach is not just a matter of meeting standards but of preparing students for real-world success:

“The Common Core outlines the skills students need to succeed in college, careers, and life. SRSD helps students develop those skills by giving them the tools to write effectively, think critically, and communicate their ideas.”

As SRSD grows, its alignment with state, district, and national academic testing standards will remain critical to its success. Schools that adopt SRSD are not just preparing their students for assessments—they are equipping them with lifelong skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

Final Thoughts

In an era where meeting academic standards and improving literacy is more important than ever, Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) provides a clear and compelling path for helping students develop the writing skills they need to succeed. Whether it’s preparing for the Common Core, state-specific assessments, English Language Arts, or the NAEP, SRSD aligns with the expectations outlined in these standards while giving students the education and tools to become independent, confident writers.

By incorporating self-regulation, structured strategies, and cognitive routines into the writing process, SRSD ensures that students meet and exceed their expected standards. As Dr. Jones highlights, the flexibility and adaptability of SRSD make it an invaluable resource for teachers and students alike:

“Whether working within the Common Core framework or following your state’s unique standards, SRSD can be tailored to meet your needs. It’s not just about teaching students to write—it’s about helping them think critically and communicate effectively in any writing situation.”

SRSD is a proven, evidence-based approach that delivers results for educators looking to improve student writing and ensure alignment with academic standards.