ANN ARBOR – WriteSteps, an Ann Arbor-based K-5 writing program focused on innovative writing improvement programs for students, announced that it has incorporated the new Common Core State Standards into its programs, in an effort to prepare students for national writing tests that will begin with the 2014-2015 school year.
Forty-five states have now embraced the new Core Standards and are in the process of re-evaluating their school’s instructional materials as a result. The Core Standards require a higher level of student writing that’s more closely connected to the demands of college and career.
WriteSteps increased the number of students who met or achieved state standards by 30% in one year. The lessons have been tested, refined, and proven in classrooms with different teaching styles, class sizes, and socio-economic levels. The program guides teachers and motivates students so effectively that 98 percent of teachers using WriteSteps recommends it to colleagues.
“We are the only Common Core compliant writing program available to elementary schools,” explains Suzanne Klein, founder and CEO of WriteSteps and former elementary school teacher. “We look forward to spreading our message to school leadership and teachers across the country.”
Klein is a former K-5 teacher, and national writing consultant. She founded the company in 2007 and developed the core curriculum with the Taylor School District. Last fall, Klein won a Best of Entrepreneurs award for her work with WriteSteps from Ann Arbor SPARK, a Michigan-based economic development non-profit.
In addition to being compliant, WriteSteps stands out because it delivers complete lesson units that utilize technology in innovative ways such as modeled video lessons for teachers, visual aids, and anonymous student writing samples that teach students to analyze the qualities of good writing. WriteSteps also includes daily lesson plans and an online clickable calendar for teachers, with a complete “downloadable binder” full of classroom materials.
“It has been a gift and blessing working with so many gifted teachers on such a meaningful project, really a dream-come-true. Our hope is that WriteSteps will be a dream-come-true for the elementary teachers, too,” said Klein.
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