Writing coaches needs volunteers for writing assessment workshop

Writing Coaches of Montana is seeking volunteers in Flathead County to participate in a one-day workshop to help assess student writing.  

Writing Coaches is conducting a research project that will assess the effectiveness of coaching on students’ writing outcomes.

With school, guardian, and student permissions, student work has been collected and anonymized. Now, the organization needs volunteers to be trained at a one-day workshop to help score student work.  

The volunteer scoring event will take place on Saturday, March 8 from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Columbia Falls High School. Volunteers will need to participate in the entire day's in-person event. Morning refreshments and lunch are provided. Pre-registration is required. Fill out the interest form to be contacted by WCM staff at https://forms.gle/944R69nHLBNf3X8cA.  

Educators can receive state Office of Public Instruction renewal credits for attendance.  

Volunteer scorers will be trained by writing assessment expert, Beverly Chin, University of Montana Professor Emeritus of English and previous Director of English Teaching and Montana Writing Project. After being trained, participants will read student essays and score each paper according to the holistic rubric provided.  

All student work has been anonymized, and the scores will not affect student grades. The data will be analyzed to determine if Writing Coaches of Montana's services affect student writing outcomes. WCM helps public school students in Columbia Falls, Evergreen, Kalispell, Somers and Whitefish think critically about their writing assignments so they can become confident and competent writers across disciplines.  

Community members interested in learning more about the volunteer opportunity can contact Cassie Sheets at admin@writingcoachesofmontana.org or fill out the interest form. To learn more about the program, visit writingcoachesofmontana.org.