This 36 page ebook – entitled Under-achievement is not inevitable: A synthesis of research findings on addressing writing under-achievement in the upper primary or middle school (Years 5-10) – is written as a reflection and discussion document for teachers.  

The main questions it poses are:

• Why do some students (particularly boys and students from minority ethnic groups) under-achieve as developing writers?
• What are some key actions that teachers can undertake to help raise student engagement, progress and achievement levels in writing?

Note that the key actions are contextualised in real classroom situations and cover issues related to strategic use of: 

• Teacher expectations;
• Topic selection;
• Instructional strategies;
• Classroom organisation and management;
• Classroom environment;

It is anticipated that teachers could read all or selected parts of this resource (as guided by literacy or team leaders), reflect on and discuss what they are reading in relation to their own beliefs and actions, and set inquiry goals for themselves.  

To help with this, a reading and discussion guide will be included with the ebook.