Save the NWP!

On February 1, the Obama administration released its 2011 budget proposal.   In this proposed budget, funding for the NWP is consolidated with five other literacy programs under a new states-based competitive grants program that provides money for improving literacy. The NWP national network would not be eligible to compete for its own funding. In this proposed budget, only state education agencies (SEAs) would be eligible to compete for funds, alone or in partnership with outside entities. Writing project sites in states that chose not to compete or were unsuccessful would receive no funding. Funding that previously went to support the work of teachers in NWP local sites would instead flow to SEAs (Retrieved from http://nwpworks.ning.com on 2/25/10).

The National Writing Project is the home to some of the best writing professional development in this country.  NWP-sponsored professional development helps teachers improve their writing schools, which in turn, helps students become better writers.  As you know, writing is one of the most important skills a person can possess.  Therefore, it’s up to each and every one of us to speak up about the effect the proposed budget would have on NWP today!

Please join the effort by contacting your legislators about these proposed cuts.  Click here for tips about writing to your legislators or for assistance obtaining the contact information for your representative and senators.