Case Study: 75% of 8th Graders Scored Proficient or Distinguished on Their On-Demand Writing Assessments

When Amy Hill, an 8th-grade ELA and Writing teacher at Glasgow Middle School, transitioned from teaching 6th grade to 8th grade, she found herself facing a new challenge. She needed a writing curriculum that would support her students at a higher grade level while also giving her the structure and flexibility to make the transition successful. She wanted something that was easy to implement, provided clear instruction, and helped students build writing skills one step at a time.

That’s when she discovered Simplify Writing®.

After attending a training session and exploring a free unit, Amy immediately saw how the curriculum could support both her teaching and her students’ needs.

“The training, along with access to a free unit, completely captivated me,” Amy shared. “It quickly became an essential part of my teaching toolkit.”

What stood out most was the way Simplify Writing® broke complex writing skills into manageable steps. Instead of overwhelming students with the entire writing process at once, the curriculum provided a clear path that helped students develop confidence along the way.

Amy also worked closely with another 8th-grade teacher who had not yet incorporated consistent writing or grammar instruction into their classroom. Together, they created a plan to intentionally add writing and grammar lessons throughout the year in a way that best supported student growth.

“We collaborated closely to strategically integrate these elements into our curriculum, ensuring they were placed at the most effective points to maximize student growth,” Amy explained.

Although Amy didn’t have a dedicated daily writing block, she found ways to make writing a consistent part of her instruction through her year-long ELA class and 9-week writing elective.

At first, many students struggled with writing and grammar skills, and adjusting to the new expectations took time.

“Since many students struggled with writing and grammar proficiency, it took some time for them to adjust to the new setup,” Amy said.

To build a stronger foundation, she started incorporating targeted grammar intervention lessons as bell ringers during the first half of the year. Later, students moved into more comprehensive grammar instruction that helped them apply those skills within their own writing.

The mentor texts became an especially valuable resource.

“The students especially appreciated the mentor texts as models and how each part of the writing process was clearly broken down and explained,” Amy shared.

Over time, students who were hesitant about writing began to see that essays weren’t as intimidating when they understood each step.

The results were powerful.

By the end of the year, many students who once avoided writing were independently completing essays and showing significant growth.

“Its design, which breaks down writing into manageable chunks, allowed even my lower-ability students to find success,” Amy explained.

On their On-Demand Writing assessments, 75% of Amy’s students scored Proficient or Distinguished, with another 18% reaching the Apprentice level. Students weren’t just improving their scores — they were becoming more confident writers.

At the beginning of the year, many students struggled to recognize and correct mistakes in their own writing. Through targeted lessons and consistent practice, they developed stronger editing skills and a better understanding of language mechanics.

“By the end of the year, 76% of my students scored Proficient or Distinguished on their Editing and Mechanics assessments, with an additional 16% reaching the Apprentice level,” Amy shared.

For Amy, the biggest transformation was seeing students believe they could write.

Students who were once reluctant to start an essay were now approaching writing with independence and confidence.

“By the end of the year, many students who were initially reluctant to attempt essays were writing independently and performing well,” Amy reflected.

Through structured lessons, intentional collaboration, and consistent practice, Simplify Writing® helped Amy create a writing experience where every student had a clear path to success.