Abstract:
Formal writing skills are essential to the professional development of students
planning to attend college or the work force upon graduating from high school. This
quantitative study examines best practices and frequencies for writing using AP high
school courses across content areas. This study will provide evidence of how frequencies
of best practices for writing contributes to student writing success which can be reflected
on outcome scores demonstrated on AP exams. 9
th through 12th grade teachers who teach
AP courses in English, History, Math, and Science answer a 19 question survey which
outlined best practices for writing and different frequencies for student engagement.
There are a total of nine best practices which include identifying similarities, summary
and practice, providing recognition and reinforcing effort, non-linguistic representation,
cooperative learning environment, setting objectives and providing feedback, generating
and testing hypothesis, and cues, questions, and graphic organizers are some of the best
practices that are considered throughout this study. Each survey question asks about the
best practices and the frequency is determined in the following manner: never, yearly,
monthly, weekly, and daily. At the end of the study, the research will provide evidence of
best practices for writing are used across AP content areas to help students improve their
writing and develop their writing capabilities.
