SRSD Classroom Results: The Science of Writing
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, Butler PA
The inspiring transformation in student writing showcases the impact of our courses on teacher practice and subsequently on student outcomes. The featured before-and-after essays, like this third-grade example, demonstrate improvement in structure, ideation, and coherence. These examples underscore the power of SRSD in nurturing voice and confidence in young writers.
"Countless teachers and their principals have reported that SRSD Online's writing course 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."
Dr. Alyson Collins
SRSD Researcher, Texas State University
Title 1 Reading Specialist
Julie Rigo-Vogel Success Story
This video features a Title One Reading Specialist sharing a heartwarming story about a 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. This story 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-Vogel
Title One Reading Specialist, Bourne MA
Persuasive Genre Classroom Results
Students advance through SRSD instruction, surpassing their peers in control classrooms in writing quality, planning, and genre knowledge. By the end, students confidently take ownership of their new writing skills, demonstrating 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.”
"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."
Sarah J.
Second-grade teacher, Nashville TN
SRSD Results
Using Reading to Write
Meet Randy. With the integration of SRSD into his school’s writing curriculum, 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."
Dr. Karen Harris
SRSD Creator, Arizona State University
2nd and 4th Grade Results
Before and After
This video demonstrates how the integration of SRSD into writing curricula 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.
In this essay, a first-grade student expresses his fondness for winter, emphasizing the joy and activities that make it his favorite season.
Literacy Coach Brit Sikes's Success Story
Brit Sikes' enthusiasm for teaching writing is infectious and illustrates a transformative approach to literacy education. By nurturing 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 Researcher
Dr. Debra McKeown Success Story
Dr. Debra 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. This highlights the dramatic improvement in students’ academic and emotional growth you could expect following the SRSD writing course.
"It’s not just grammar, spelling, and punctuation on that paper. That’s someone’s mind, their ideas, their heart. So why are we so focused on surface-level features? We read for the story, we read for learning, we read for the ideas, we read to open our minds, and it should be why we write. It should be why we teach writing."
Dr. Debra McKeown
SRSD Researcher, Texas A&M University
Case Study
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!”
– Dr. Karen Harris, SRSD Creator
