Freedom Writers

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/programs/teachers

Initiative Description: 19 middle/high school language arts teachers and 342 students participated in the Freedom Writers Institute (FWI), which supports secondary teachers in delivering engaging English Language Arts instruction to improve student engagement. 342 middle and high school students across the US were surveyed using the Freedom Writers Method Scale and Student Engagement Scale. Surveys were administered during the last 2 months of the school year. Results indicated that student engagement increases when teachers have been trained by FWI.

Study Results: Increased student/classroom engagement.

Reference: Powers, K., Shin, S.-H., Hagans, K. S., & Cordova, M. (2015). The impact of a teacher professional development program on student engagement. International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 3(4), 232-240. doi:10.1080/21683603.2015.1064840

Level of Evidence: Excellent