Direct Writing Assessment (DWA)

• 90 minute timed essay---organize time!
  Prewrite/brainstorm for 30 minutes.
  Compose/evaluate/revise/edit for 30 minutes.
  Write final copy in black ink on one page--both sides for 30 minutes.

• Write on a given prompt

• Formal state assessment in 7th grade in November. Essays are sent to the state's set of judges and scores are sent back to the district at a later date. I grade students on the writing process--not the final product.

• Informal assessment in 8th grade: November/December and again in spring

• Formal Idaho Direct Writing Assessment in 9th grade

• 6-Trait Rubric used for score of 4-3-2-1

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