Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD)

What Is the SRSD Writing Method?

SRSD is a proven set of writing interventions and strategies that empower students to boost writing skills and academic confidence.

A teacher helping students in a classroom, illustrating the explicit and systematic approach of SRSD.

The Six Stages of SRSD- Teaching Writing and Learning

“SRSD is effective because it combines explicit, structured learning stages with a focus on mastery. Students are not allowed to fail as they go through the process. This approach builds students’ confidence and motivation.”

Dr. Karen Harris

SRSD Creator, Arizona State University

SRSD Writing: A Comprehensive Approach to Teaching Writing

Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) is a holistic writing method designed to enhance students’ abilities through six structured stages of learning. These recursive stages allow students to revisit and strengthen their understanding while moving at their own pace. A central feature of Self-Regulated Strategy Development writing is its focus on modeling, using the “I do, You do, We do” approach.

  • Six structured stages of learning
  • Writing strategies for students
  • Focus on modeling: “I do, You do, We do”

High Proficiency and Confidence in Writing

SRSD writing interventions exemplify mastery by ensuring students fully grasp and can effectively apply each writing strategy before advancing to the next lesson or stage. All students are given writing instruction that they can grasp, moving at the pace of learning. This teaching writing approach guarantees high proficiency and confidence in writing, and nurturing long-term academic success. Moreover, SRSD writing interventions emphasize self-regulation, empowering students to take control of their learning.

  • Mastery learning process
  • Emphasis on self-regulation
  • Integration with existing curricula

SRSD: Beyond Teaching Writing

Self-Regulated Strategy Development writing interventions are more than a set of evidence-based approach to teaching genre and essay writing. SRSD brings metacognitive awareness, psychological resilience, and critical thinking skills, enabling students to understand their thought processes, build motivation, and sharpen their ability to analyze and enhance their work. By addressing these broader learning and personal growth aspects, SRSD equips students with tools for lifelong learning and effective problem-solving.

  • Self-Regulation
  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
  • Self-Assessment
  • Self-Monitoring
  • Goal Setting
  • Strategic Planning
  • Collaborative Learning
  • Positive Self-talk
  • Motivation and Beliefs
  • Metacognition
  • Persistence and Resilience
  • Critical Thinking
  •  

“SRSD is extraordinarily effective because it builds essential self-regulation skills and motivation. Our results show remarkable improvements across diverse student groups, maintaining gains over time and across various settings.”

Dr. Tanya Santangelo

SRSD Researcher, Arcadia University

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Dr. Karen Harris

Teaching Writing in Every Grade

Dr. Karen Harris developed SRSD writing for every Classroom.

She has devoted her career to transforming writing instruction for educators. She developed SRSD writing interventions to equip teachers with the most effective evidence-based writing and learning practices for their classrooms. Through her pioneering research and advocacy for practice-based professional development (PBPD), she made her insights widely accessible, trained a network of researchers to broaden SRSD’s impact, and supported colleagues in advancing their independent work. Her efforts have brought SRSD writing to the forefront of educational practice.

Watch Dr. Karen Harris discuss the developmental nature of writing.

Karen Harris smiling, thinking how SRSD is a developmental process in teaching writing.

"Over the past 40 years, developing SRSD and advancing writing instruction alongside my dedicated colleagues has been an incredibly rewarding journey. There's nothing more fulfilling than witnessing how it transforms learning and writing in the classroom by seeing a child’s eyes light up."

Dr. Karen Harris

SRSD Creator, Arizona State University

Pioneers of SRSD Writing: The Work of Karen Harris and Steve Graham

In the 1990s and 2000s, Karen and Steve broadened their research from special needs to encompass all students, showing that SRSD improves writing quality across various grade levels and abilities. Early in their work, they identified critical strategies for teaching writing—such as planning, drafting, evaluating, and revising—combined with self-regulation techniques like goal setting and self-assessment, empowering students to take control of their writing process.

Social-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has been effectively integrated into SRSD writing interventions, helping students manage their emotions during the writing process—a frequent source of anxiety and frustration. SRSD teaches students to set realistic goals, use self-talk to navigate challenges and celebrate their achievements, and cultivate social skills such as empathy, respect, and cooperation through peer reviews and collaborative writing.

Broadening the Scope

Recent research has highlighted SRSD’s effectiveness, prompting its widespread adoption nationally and internationally. The term “The Science of Writing” aptly describes SRSD, as it is grounded in rigorous research that validates each strategy, from writing techniques to practical teacher training. As new findings emerge and educational needs evolve, the SRSD model continues to adapt, demonstrating the dynamic nature of academic science.

Legacy and Future Directions

As SRSD continues to be the subject of international research, it remains a practical framework for educators to enhance writing instruction. It represents the legacy of Drs. Harris and Graham and its impact on classroom practices. Their work has shaped countless educational careers, improving writing outcomes for generations of students. With evolving educational technology and ongoing research exploring digital implementations and adaptations, SRSD is vital to “The Science of Writing.”