Given the decision by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to de-charter the Conference on College Composition and Communication, among other actions, we do not believe that the NCTE is a good steward for the future of writing studies. As members of the writing studies community, we therefore support discussions leading to alternative arrangements for the organization of the teaching and study of writing outside the control of NCTE.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 7, 2026
Reached 500 supporters
August 2, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
July 31, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
July 31, 2026
210 Comments
One doesn't always get a second chance in life. Although as CCCC member, past CCCC Chair, CCCC Exemplar, and past NCTE President (among other roles), I am deeply sorry about the way CCCC's demise came about (i.e., dechartering), I am at the same time so very excited, optimistic, and hopeful about the new community we can create--together.
We can acknowledge the stability that NCTE provided to a nascent field for decades while we grew into ourselves, and also realize that in its current form, NCTE's presence is actually destabilizing. Neither do we need someone else to provide stability; we have the capacity to do it for ourselves.
As a past chair of CCCC and CCCC Exemplar Award winner, we deserve organizations that respect our work and our views about our field.
As a past CCCC chair and a past president of NCTE (and proud winner of its Distinguished Service award), I think writing teachers and scholars--and our students--will be better served a professional association outside NCTE at this point.
Yes -- everything is always changing. I appreciate the energy and calls for this time of transition to evolve into a stronger, focused support movement/organization.
It always felt wrong that the central organization of our field was called a conference. CCCC clearly grew beyond that and doesn't need NCTE. NCTE doesn't seem to want it either or know how to support it. Time for RCWS to go its own way.
We must regroup into an organization that both legitimizes our work in the eyes of the academy (and even better if that also includes the eyes of the public) and provides structural support for all the people in our field.
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Given the decision by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to de-charter the Conference on College Composition and Communication, among other actions, we do not believe that the NCTE is a good steward for the future of writing studies. As members of the writing studies community, we therefore support discussions leading to alternative arrangements for the organization of the teaching and study of writing outside the control of NCTE.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 7, 2026
Reached 500 supporters
August 2, 2026
Reached 250 supporters
July 31, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
July 31, 2026
210 Comments
NCTE's relationship to CCCC has always been uncomfortable, and past chairs even considered trying to go independent. Despite the abruptness and disruption of NCTE's action, I don't think we should dwell on that but view it as an wonderful opportunity to establish the kind of organization that truly fits the diverse needs of our community. It is heartening to see many members and organizations stepping up to offer leadership to connect and communicate so we can do so.
One doesn't always get a second chance in life. Although as CCCC member, past CCCC Chair, CCCC Exemplar, and past NCTE President (among other roles), I am deeply sorry about the way CCCC's demise came about (i.e., dechartering), I am at the same time so very excited, optimistic, and hopeful about the new community we can create--together.
We can acknowledge the stability that NCTE provided to a nascent field for decades while we grew into ourselves, and also realize that in its current form, NCTE's presence is actually destabilizing. Neither do we need someone else to provide stability; we have the capacity to do it for ourselves.
As a past chair of CCCC and CCCC Exemplar Award winner, we deserve organizations that respect our work and our views about our field.
As a past CCCC chair and a past president of NCTE (and proud winner of its Distinguished Service award), I think writing teachers and scholars--and our students--will be better served a professional association outside NCTE at this point.
Yes -- everything is always changing. I appreciate the energy and calls for this time of transition to evolve into a stronger, focused support movement/organization.
It always felt wrong that the central organization of our field was called a conference. CCCC clearly grew beyond that and doesn't need NCTE. NCTE doesn't seem to want it either or know how to support it. Time for RCWS to go its own way.
We must regroup into an organization that both legitimizes our work in the eyes of the academy (and even better if that also includes the eyes of the public) and provides structural support for all the people in our field.
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NCTE's relationship to CCCC has always been uncomfortable, and past chairs even considered trying to go independent. Despite the abruptness and disruption of NCTE's action, I don't think we should dwell on that but view it as an wonderful opportunity to establish the kind of organization that truly fits the diverse needs of our community. It is heartening to see many members and organizations stepping up to offer leadership to connect and communicate so we can do so.