Where are the Composition Resources?

Research concludes that reading and writing are related because they draw on shared knowledge and skills, and these skills are not randomly related, but they build one another and work together (Kim, 2020). Strong reading instruction supports writing development, and effective writing instruction develops reading proficiency. Writing is a powerful learning tool because it allows learners to clarify their thinking, make connections, and synthesize ideas. The implication of the evidence is clear: Reading and writing must be integrated rather than taught in separate learning experiences; therefore, resources to support both reading and writing instruction can be found together under
Leveraging the Reading -Writing Connection for Effective Communication.

What are the instructional implications of integrated reading and writing in practice?

The Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Reading and Writing aligns to research by outlining the integration of text-based writing as the expectation of Kentucky classrooms.

Because text-based writing positively affects reading comprehension, reading and writing should be viewed as complementary learning rather than separate subjects. Emphasis should be placed on text-based and evidence-based writing experiences that are directly connected to what they are reading (Kentucky Department of Education, 2025).

In accordance with the revised KAS for Reading and Writing, support for instruction should emphasize the bundling of standards and text-based writing. Simply put this means students should write about the texts and topics they are studying. For more information on connected reading and writing, read the
Kentucky Reading Research Center’s guidance: Reading-Writing Connection: Effective Literacy Instruction in K-3.

What resources will support me in growing my students as strong readers AND writers?

The Leveraging the Reading-Writing Connection for Effective Communication is a collection of resources that can develop teachers’ literacy knowledge and understanding for K-12 teaching and learning. The following are intended as overviews or “quick guides” to provide broad instructional guidance.

*Use these resources to support the implementation of existing
High-Quality Instructional Resources
(HQIRs) adopted by school districts as well as educators teaching in districts that have not yet adopted an HQIR in reading and writing.