Participation Requirements

1. Each school participating in District Composition must provide a reader.
2. The school the District Composition champion represents must provide a reader at Regional.
3. The school the Regional Composition champion represents must provide a reader at State (MG/HS).

While no certification is required, Composition readers should be writing teachers who are experienced in portfolio assessment and/or holistic scoring, or have participated in a writing project.

Competition Format
Students participate in on-demand writing activities consistent with the CATS Writing Portfolio Assessment.

Elementary division students must complete the on-demand writing within 45 minutes. Middle grades and high school division students must complete the on-demand writing activity within 90 minutes.

Information that allows the student to write a well developed letter, article, editorial, speech or other form of writing is provided

Types of Writing

• In the middle grades and high school divisions, students will defend a position.

• Elementary students will write a letter or article. 

Information that allows the student to write a well developed letter, article, editorial, speech or other form of writing is provided. Each division uses unique writing prompts.

Evaluation

Writing is evaluated holistically by two or more readers, using the KAAC Composition scoresheet. Readers should be writing teachers experienced in CATS portfolio assessment and/or holistic scoring.

Recognition and Advancement

In district competition, the top five students in all divisions receive awards and advance to regional competition.

The format is repeated at the regional competition. The top five students receive awards. In the regional middle grades and high school divisions, the top five students advance to state competition.

At the state awards ceremony, the top ten students in the middle grades and high school divisions are recognized and receive awards.

If you would like more information about the Composition event, e-mail Program Director Brenda Darnell at bdarnell@kaac.com or call Brenda at 502.223.0088 ext. 24.