This resource provides ideas for administering an argument writing assignment that involves responding to a prompt about the value of a four-year college degree and completing reading or research to find facts to engage with as students support their claim. The information provided is specific to the state of Virginia in terms of both the suggested resources for research and the Virginia Standards of Learning rubric. Teachers can use this to prepare students for the End of Course writing assessment.

English Instructional Plan – Grades 9- 12: Current Events Persuasive Debate and Essay   

English Instructional Plan – Grades 9- 12: Paired Passages – The Threat of Conformity and Indifference and the Power of the Individual  

For the following project, students will be engaging in real-world topics research on a topic of their choice and producing an essay or proposal that argues their position on that topic.  This is a persuasive paper, not an expository paper.  They will need to take a position regarding the position they choose and support it using research.

Last March, schools all around the world were thrust into virtual learning, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In the future, do you think virtual learning should continue to be an option for high school students?  Why or why not?** This performance assessment was developed by a collaborative team of teachers and division staff from Middlesex, Poquoson, and West Point school divisions.