Space Grant Consortium - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Combining Writing Across the Curriculum Strategies in Community-Based
Programs to Teach Core Scientific Concepts
James Kramer
Executive Director
Simpson Street Free Press
Madison, Wi
Abstract: Persistent achievement gaps affect many Wisconsin school districts. Correlations
between income and achievement greatly increase the challenges facing local schools. A recent
Harvard Family Research Project study demonstrates that learning support systems outside of
school hours are a critical element in long-term student success. Many communities now
recognize that partnerships with community-based non-profit groups are essential. The Simpson
Street Free Press is a solid academic program, with outstanding community support, and a
proven record of success. For 17 years the Simpson Street Free Press has successfully
demonstrated that academic success is attainable for all kids. Our student reporters, ages 11-18,
learn practical academic and vocational skills through an elaborate process of writing and
publishing. We use proven writing across the curriculum strategies to produce thoughtful, wellresearched
articles on topics ranging from the latest NASA missions to ancient civilizations;
from plate tectonics and climate change, to Wisconsin’s changing economy. These nationally
recognized best practices effectively bridge the achievement gap and as a result, 90% of our
students increase their core GPA within two semesters and 92% of our program graduates have
gone on to college.
1. Organization History and Mission
Wisconsin’s own Simpson Street Free Press is now officially designated “one of America’s best
youth programs.” The prestigious 2008 national Coming Up Taller Award was recently
presented to our organization at a White House ceremony in Washington, D.C. The award was
presented by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, the National Endowment
for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Committee members closely
examined SSFP curriculum methods and cited our organization for “a thoroughly innovative
approach to fostering academic achievement” and “pioneering new and exciting strategies to
integrate core subject curriculum into community-based youth programs.”
Across the country, communities search for innovative ways to promote achievement and
engage young people in civic life. We do just that. For 17 years the Simpson Street Free Press
has successfully demonstrated that academic success is attainable for all kids. Our student
reporters, ages 11-18, learn practical academic and vocational skills through an elaborate process
of writing and publishing. In turn, the publications produced by these hardworking kids reach
thousands of their peers with powerful messages of achievement and success. It is this multimission
approach that makes our programs so efficient and so effective. Simpson Street Free
Press, Inc. is an organization built on ideas and innovation. We have honed an approach to
community-based academics that really works. And, in turn, our publications influence young
readers on a massive scale. Our core curriculum approach builds academic self-confidence, in
particular for students from low-income backgrounds. The work our students produce is widely
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