PDSA: A Road Map to Improved Writing Skills

Case Study - September 2009

Abstract: The plan, do, study, act (PDSA) cycle for continuous improvement is a popular quality tool used throughout Community Consolidated School District 15 in suburban Chicago. At Winston Campus Elementary, PDSAs are used in everyday classroom activities and on a buildingwide basis to support school improvement plans. In 2007, Winston began a two-year PDSA improvement cycle aimed at boosting writing test scores. The results were dramatic: Ninety-five percent of sixth grade students met or exceeded state writing standards, up from 59 percent one year earlier.

Keywords: Case study; Education; Continuous improvement; Plan-do-study-act (PDSA); Quality tools; Fishbone diagram; Relations diagram; Student achievement; Writing instruction