Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking

Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking (RWCT) is a professional-development program for educators that introduces research-based, instructional methods to help students think reflectively, take ownership of their personal learning, understand the logic of arguments, listen attentively, debate confidently, and become independent, life-long learners. The program can be used in upper primary (starting in fourth grade), middle, and secondary schools, as well as in higher education, for all subjects with existing curricula.

RWCT methods are adapted for classrooms in order to promote the following:

Active Inquiry
Student-Initiated Learning
Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking
Cooperative Learning
Writing and Reading Processes
Alternative Assessments

RWCT is designed to build local capacity as participating trainers recognize that local educators' knowledge is critical to the overall success of the project. RWCT invites modifications that resonate within each country. Mentored by a select group of international educators, RWCT builds a solid base of local teacher trainers, giving each education system the capacity for expansion.

Since 1997, trainers from the RWCT group have brought extensive staff-development programs in best teaching practices for active learning and critical thinking to more than 50,000 teachers in 32 countries. In recent years, RWCT has also offered extensive training programs in basic literacy, the instruction of language-minority children, and creating literature to support reading programs.

Strategy for the development and sustainable implementation of RWCT is designed for each country individually, based on local human and economic resources, and is the result of close consultation with partners in that country. RWCT was offered originally in the emerging democracies of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. There are ongoing derivative training projects in Central and South America and East Africa. New projects are developing in Liberia (West Africa), Pakistan, and Israel.

Several hundred educators from more than thirty countries are now trainers certified to conduct RWCT workshops. Most of them continue to deliver workshops from the original project in their own countries as well as internationally. Trainers based in Europe and Central Asia have formed the RWCT International Consortium. Trainers based in North America, the UK, and Australia are represented by a U.S.-chartered NGO, Critical Thinking International.

For further information, contact sbatrak@sorosny.org.