Senator Robert C. Byrd Receives the National Commission on Writing Award For "Extraordinary Contributions to the Art and Craft of Writing"
Former Governor Gaston Caperton presents award
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the National Commission on Writing for America's Families, Schools, and Colleges honored Senator Robert Byrd for his outstanding contributions in support of the teaching of writing in the United States.
Presenting the senator with the Commission's award for "Extraordinary Contributions to the Art and Craft of Writing" were: Commission ex-officio member Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board and former governor of West Virginia; Commission chair Bob Kerrey, president of New School University and former senator from Nebraska; former Commission chair C. Peter Magrath, president of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and former president of the State University of New York at Binghamton, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Missouri System; and national advisory chair for the Commission, Richard Sterling, executive director of the National Writing Project.
Joining the presenters were two high school students and an English teacher from Logan, West Virginia. Natalie Bates and Lauren Bevins, both seniors at Logan Senior High School, and L. Tracy Baisden, codirector of the Marshall University Writing Project and an English teacher at Logan Senior High School, talked about the importance of writing and thanked Senator Byrd for his leadership and support.
In presenting the award, Gaston Caperton said: "As a writer, historian, legislator, speechwriter, essayist, and editor, Senator Byrd has applied his own passion for writing to improving the teaching of writing in West Virginia and in the nation as a whole. I can think of no one who has been a stronger advocate. We thank you for the remarkable commitment you have shown, through both your actions and your words, to this crucial cause."
"The importance of writing well, for the individual and society as a whole, cannot be overstated," Bob Kerrey said. "Today's investments in support of writing will have a cumulative effect on this country's growth," he added. "Now more than ever, for our young people to realize their potential and excel as students and working citizens, they must be taught to write and communicate effectively. Literacy will be essential for the United States to remain competitive in an increasingly knowledge-based and interconnected global economy."
The National Commission on Writing for America's Families, Schools, and Colleges was established in September of 2002 by the College Board in an effort to focus national attention on the teaching and learning of writing. The Commission is made up of teachers, superintendents, college and university presidents, and business leaders, and is aided by an advisory panel of academic experts on writing.
In April 2003, the Commission issued its first report, The Neglected "R," to Congress and the nation. The report concluded by saying that: "American education will never realize its potential as an engine of opportunity and economic growth until a writing revolution puts language and communications in their proper place in the classroom." At the same time, the Commission announced a three- to five-year Writing Challenge to create a national writing agenda, increase class time spent on writing, improve teacher professional development, align teaching and assessment, and use technology to improve the teaching of writing.
Peter Magrath said, "The Neglected 'R' laid the groundwork for a writing revolution in this country, not only for educators, but also among policymakers and the general public. We are grateful for the powerful champions of writing who support us in the belief that writing skills should not be a frill for the few, but an essential skill for the many."
Richard Sterling spoke of Senator Byrd's work for the National Writing Project, a professional development network established in 1973 to improve writing and learning in the nation's schools. "Thanks to Senator Byrd's longstanding advocacy, the National Writing Project has served over two million teachers in its 30 years as a nationwide professional development program," he said. "I have seen firsthand the competence and enthusiasm he has inspired in teachers and, as a result, in their students."
"Writing is one of the most basic and intrinsic communications skills. Without that skill, our young people face far greater obstacles in their future," Senator Byrd said. "Too often, it is assumed that students know how to write when they walk through a classroom door. As a result, the art of writing is neglected in schools, and students' abilities suffer."
The College Board is a national nonprofit membership association whose mission is to prepare, inspire, and connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 4,500 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations.
The National Commission on Writing also presented the award today to Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi.
Photos of the presentation are available both in print and electronically.
Contact
Chiara Coletti, The College Board, (212) 713-8052
Sandra Riley, The College Board, (212) 713-8052