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Alameda County, CA | November 5, 2002 Election |
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What the Writers' Room Teaches Us About Closing Achievement GapsBy Shirley IsselCandidate for Member, Board of Directors; Berkeley Unified School District |
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The Writers' Room is a High School based program that brings trained volunteers into the classroom to provide one-on-one coaching in revision based writing that effectively addresses class size issues, improves student achievement, and reduces achievement gaps.What the Writers' Room Teaches Us about Closing Achievement Gaps. By Shirley Issel, L.C.S.W. Berkeley School Board President During my campaign for school board (November 1998) I became acutely aware of achievement gaps that exist in our schools between poor and minority students and Caucasian and Asian students. To me, this outcome was unacceptable, divisive and poorly understood. Everyone seemed to have a theory about the gap and a remedy as well, but few had facts to back them up. After the election, I began digging into the literature, attending conferences and asking questions. Having spent my professional career as a psychotherapist, mine was the business of change and I was determined to find solutions that worked!
Because it is a matter of great urgency to find solutions that work, and learn from them, I want to make an attempt to identify and characterize the program's essential elements.
This summer, Writers' Room coaches will begin working with 8th grade graduates attending our promising Summer Bridge program at Berkeley High. I urge parents and community members who are committed to improving student achievement and closing achievement gaps to volunteer some time towards this effective and personally rewarding program. Copyright © 2002 by Shirley A. Issel To volunteer as a Writers' Room coach in Berkeley's middle or high schools, contact coach coordinator Wendy Breuer at 510 524 0249 or <breuerw@aol.com>. To learn more about the program you may contact its director, Dr. Mary Lee Cole by phone at 510 525 6902 or <mlcole@yahoo.com> |
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Created from information supplied by the candidate: November 4, 2002 12:50
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