Writing beyond Testing: “The Word as an Instrument of Creation”

Students need and deserve more than just to pass a test, says Nelson. They deserve writing classes that go beyond teaching skills and correctness. They need classes that show them the power of the Word. Demonstrating the power of the Word as a tool of creation, she relates the experiences of students participating in the Young Adult Writing Project, an offshoot of the Greater Phoenix Area Writing Project and the National Writing Project. Students were allowed to write from their own experiences and feelings, without the pressure of testing or assessment. In just three weeks, the group became a community of strong writers.