Intended for administrators and policy makers as well as teachers, this digest explores the components common to effective writing programs. The digest first discusses activities at the classroom level as the foundation of a successful writing program and elements that should be included in classroom instruction, such as the process approach to composing and writing assessment techniques. Next, the digest discusses how writing teachers' skills can be improved (particularly through inservice education), then explores the value of a schoolwide emphasis on writing instruction and ways to orient content area faculty to such a program. Finally, the digest examines the ways in which administrators can contribute to the success of the writing curriculum. (HTH)