Procedure for Administering Rochester Writing Sample
 

Introduction 
The Rochester Writing Sample is a rehearsal for the NHEAIP Writing Prompt that is administered annually to students in grades 3, 6, and 10. Students need experience in the practice of writing "on demand." The Rochester Writing Sample provides students with this opportunity. In addition to completing the sample, students must be given time to improve the quality of their corrected sample. Without this step, students will not understand the process for improvement. The NH Holistic Scoring Guide provides teachers with a focus for discussing the quality of student work. Teachers should display and discuss examples of student writing samples for each score point. This will assist students in evaluating their own writing and lead to improvement.  

Timeframe 

  • The Rochester Writing Sample shall be administered by October 31. At the high school level a second semester sample shall be administrated in February.
  • In class students shall complete the Rochester Writing Sample from the pre-writing stage to the final sample in one session. Although this is not a timed activity, it is recommended that students complete their sample in approximately 60-90 minutes.
Role of the Teacher 
The writing process includes time for students to share and conference with teachers and peers. Since the Rochester Writing Sample is a rehearsal for the NHEAIP Writing Prompt, time for conferencing is not included in this activity. However, when the corrected Rochester Writing Samples are returned to students, it is expected they will be given time to share and conference with teachers and peers. 

Topic Selection 
Topic choice shall be non-fiction based on personal experience; e.g. 

  • Family outings 
  • Trips
  • Adventures
  • Friends
  • Career Goals 
  • Pets
  • Sports
Hobbies, interests 
Directions 
  • Include all students who participate in the regular English class.
  • In accordance with the I.E.P. special education students shall also participate.
  • Direct students to write their name on the front of the Rochester Writing Sample Folder. To ensure anonymity, the teacher shall assign each writing sample a number. Please coordinate this with other teachers at your grade level in your school.
  • Although optional, students are encouraged to use cursive writing and complete their final sample in ink. Neatness is evaluated.
  • Upon completion, collect the Rochester Writing Samples and confer with the principal to set a date for the correction session.
  • Return corrected samples with the scoring rubric to the student.  Begin the process of students revising their samples. 
  • Place the original sample, the revised sample and the attached scoring rubrics in the folder.
  • At the end of the school year, file the Rochester Writing Sample folder in the Individual Student Writing folder.
 
 
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