About Us
how we got here
Writing to Win's evidence-based learning practices boost significant higher student achievement and greater engagement in all subjects. We grow teacher capacity by establishing model classrooms in each school with online and onsite training.
Writing to Win is an established research and evidence-based school improvement provider to K-12 public and private schools and homeschool associations since 1986. The progress of students we serve is measured on state tests. Our three instructional routines – Applied Grammar, Applied Vocabulary, and Paired Texts Packets – show a consistently positive impact on student achievement in combination or standalone.
Recent definitive research in writing, Writing Next, identifies 11 effective writing practices that blend reading into writing practices. Click here to see the full correlation between the three Writing to Win routines and Writing Next recommendations.
A positive and engaging learning environment in every classroom
Classrooms using Writing to Win instructional routines are developed with intention. Student materials (Applied Grammar, Applied Vocabulary, or Paired Texts Packets) are positioned for ease of access. Students know what to do when they enter their classrooms and are eager to engage in a day of learning. Teachers follow a Writing to Win pacing guide. Online resources spring into action with a click on the computer. Projected writing prompts activate or close the work sessions. Self-assessment and peer-response rubrics guide student responses to the quality of their own writing and that of their PALs.
Exemplary teaching and learning in every classroom
Teachers see writing as the ultimate differentiator for learning. Students work with the Writing to Win tools in a group-assigned tasks to report to the rest of the class. They eagerly participate whole-group in oral-kinesthetic mini-lessons (Applied Grammar online). They read their writing aloud to a PAL and cite evidence to support their self-assessment (Applied Vocabulary). They assume the task as spotters who analyze and report the role of key terms in reading texts (Paired Texts Packets). Teachers practice small-group conferencing and facilitating student progress.
An emphasis on purpose in learning
With every writing task, students understand the purpose of their writing for specific audiences – a small group, whole class, the class next-door, or a special person that they choose. Students write with engagement since their audience provides rubric-based responses. Their narratives entertain, surprise, or provoke empathy. Their informational essays intrigue or marvel as they explain content-rich texts. Their argument / opinion writing compels readers to agree, rethink, or act. In student-centered learning and specific reading-writing tasks, students take the lead in their learning. As they write they show what they understand and misunderstand about course standards.
| Writing to Win solution | Writing to Win title | Improved student achievement |
| Applied Grammar (online / print) | Sentence Building, levels 1-10 | End-of-grade ELA tests; end-of-grade and end-of-course tests of written expression; benchmark writing tests |
| Applied Vocabulary (online / print) | Applied Vocabulary, gr K-12 | Benchmark tests, end-of-grade and end-of-course tests, ELA, math, science, social studies, CTAE |
| Paired Texts Packets (print) | Paired Texts Packets, gr 3-12 | Tests of reading comprehension and constructed and extended responses to texts |
Our Partners
Our Writing to Win Team
Warren E. Combs
Founder of Writing to WinWith this paradigm shift in place, Dr. Combs saw two more needs. For the first of these, he developed a system of frequent short writing for building the vocabulary of math, science, and social studies. Writing on Demand online solves the problem of learning and retaining core content. For the second, he developed Paired Texts Packets to ensure that students used the steps of the writing process to respond to content-rich texts with ease and insight. These three instructional routines fully integrate reading and writing from the level of words to sentences to full texts.
In his career, Dr. Combs has taught at several universities from Washington state to Georgia. As an author of three best-selling professional development books, nine Writing to Win titles, and multiple journal articles, he has spoken at conferences across the U.S. Dr. Combs champions the Writing to Win core values of integrity and communication.
Taylor E. Combs
Director of Instructional TechnologyTaylor is a contributing author of Writing to Win Paired Texts Packet for grades 6-12. As a Writing to Win trainer, he works with all levels of students and teachers. He enjoys using the routines to introduce 3rd graders to the U.S. Constitution just as much as 8th graders to genetic inheritance or 12th graders to models of human learning.
He contributes much to the development of Writing to Win’s online instructional routines. He takes the lead producing interactive videos for professional development, and specific instructional strategies. The team recognizes his contribution of the core value of creativity.
Arnelle Combs
Copy Editor and Project Coordinator
