EBP Compendium: Summary of Systematic Review
Grant from the National Council of Learning Disabilities
Teaching Expressive Writing to Students with Learning Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis
Gersten, R., & Baker, S.
(2001).
The Elementary School Journal, 101(3), 251-272.
Indicators of Review Quality:
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The review addresses a clearly focused question
| Yes |
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Criteria for inclusion of studies are provided
| Yes |
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Search strategy is described in sufficient detail for replication
| No |
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Included studies are assessed for study quality
| No |
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Quality assessments are reproducible
| No |
Description: This is a meta-analysis of experimental and quasi- experimental studies investigating the effect of writing interventions for students with learning disabilities.
Question(s) Addressed:
Which interventions and intervention components are most effective in improving the writing of students with learning disabilities, and what is the strength of those effects?
Population: Students with identified learning disabilities
Intervention/Assessment: Expressive writing instruction targeting the writing process (i.e., composing, editing, revising) rather than writing mechanics. Interventions had to last at least 45 minutes and occurred across at least three days of instruction.
Number of Studies Included: 13
Years Included: 1963 - 1999
Findings:
Conclusions:
- Treatment
- Language
- Written Expression
- Positive effects were reported for all interventions targeting written expression.
- Moderate to large effects were consistent across studies.
- Overall, findings suggest that writing interventions incorporate three components. Interventions should include explicit teaching of:
- the critical steps in the writing process;
- the conventions of a writing genre;
- guided feedback.
Keywords: Language Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Written Language Disorders, Literacy
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Added to Compendium: March 2012