Date Approved
8-10-2026
Graduate Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Education-Literacy Studies: Reading (M.Ed.)
Degree Program
College of Education
First Advisor
Dr. Lindsay Stoetzel
Academic Year
2025/2026
Abstract
Writing is an essential skill used to communicate ideas effectively, assess understanding, and demonstrate critical thinking across educational and workplace settings. Yet, research demonstrates that a majority of special education teacher preparation programs do not offer standalone courses in writing instruction methods, leaving many special education teachers to enter the profession with limited knowledge of effective writing instruction for students with high-incidence disabilities. This project explores current research on effective sentence-level writing instruction for students with high-incidence disabilities, as well as a research-based approach for applying these practices in a systematic yet adaptable manner to meet the needs of individual learners. It presents a year-long, practice-based professional learning series designed for K-8 special education teachers who serve students with high-incidence disabilities. The series provides pedagogical knowledge, evidence-based writing instruction practices, and opportunities for practical application through whole and small group learning, as well as individualized coaching sessions. Opportunities to evaluate the effectiveness of professional learning on teachers’ writing instruction practices, students outcomes, and long-term sustainability are provided through surveys, SMART goal setting, and the development of a Writing Instruction Sustainability Plan.
ScholarWorks Citation
Bowen, Lindsay E., "Teaching Writing With Confidence: A Professional Learning Series to Build Special Education Teachers' Knowledge and Self-Efficacy for Explicit Writing Instruction" (2026). Masters Projects. 757.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gradprojects/757
