6+1® Trait Writing Copyright & Permissions

The Real Thing: Six Traits of NWREL's Writing Model

The trait-based model of writing assessment and instruction has been around since the mid-1980s and has evolved into a flock of sometimes-confusing varieties. While the original model's development was facilitated and supported by NWREL, its Six-Trait Writing name has passed into generic use and has been adapted by a variety of authors, trainers, and publishers. However, NWREL's unique approach to presenting the model and training teachers in its use—6+1 Trait^® Writing—is embedded in the bedrock of the model's history and is its most highly developed and tested version. It's the real thing. People often become so enthusiastic about the NWREL model that they want to share it with others—sometimes without appropriate permission. How can you tell if you are looking at a NWREL-developed or -authorized product or training event? How can you tell if your proposed sharing of NWREL materials will be legal? Here are six characteristics of the real thing and how you can avoid litigation.

1. NWREL's products and training for trait-based writing assessment and instruction include the trademark "6+1 Trait^®."

This is a registered trademark and may not be used by anyone but NWREL or by NWREL's written authorization. There are legal penalties for unauthorized use of this mark, so it is generally your best indicator of the real thing. (Some NWREL products published prior to 2002 still use the older, now-generic, Six-Trait(s) label, but they are being phased out.)

2. All of NWREL's trait-based writing assessment and instruction products and materials are protected by copyright, regardless of whether they use the 6+1 Trait^® mark.

This includes material available on NWREL's web site (see #6 below). Other than uses that fall clearly under the "fair use" protections of U.S. copyright law, any reproduction and distribution of these materials requires authorization from NWREL and a notice of that authorization on the reproductions. (For a discussion of fair use in educational contexts, see Stanford University's Copyright and Fair Use Overview chapter seven.)

3. NWREL-endorsed training in 6+1 Trait^® Writing for Assessment and Instruction is available only from NWREL staff or (a very few) "certified" trainers.

Certified trainers are under contract with NWREL and share training fees in exchange for using the 6+1 Trait^® trademark and materials. At present the Harris County (Texas) Department of Education is the only organization holding such a contract. NWREL-sponsored training events (announced at TheTraits.org's events section or contracted individually with education agencies) are usually conducted by NWREL staff members, although highly qualified outside trainers are used occasionally under contract.

4. NWREL does recognize individuals who have received advanced training-of-trainers preparation as "qualified" to use 6+1 Trait^® Writing materials, but their training events are not endorsed by NWREL and they may not use the trademark to title their events.

For example, they can provide training in 6+1 Trait^® Writing concepts and use copyrighted materials, but they cannot advertise the event as a "6+1 Trait^® Writing Workshop." Generally these individuals are authorized to provide professional development training at no cost for educators within their home school or district as part of their regular employment; and they may do so without further permissions from NWREL. When "qualified" trainers conduct training activities outside those conditions, they are required to pay NWREL a fee for copies of copyrighted materials distributed as handouts. NWREL does not authorize reproduction of its materials for trainings other than by "qualified" or "certified" trainers.

5. Scholastic Inc., Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, and IOX Education Research and Development are the only commercial publishers authorized to produce and distribute materials under the 6+1 Trait^® trademark.

This does not preclude authors from making reference to or quoting limited amounts of NWREL-copyrighted material under fair use provisions and/or with permission from NWREL, but NWREL will not provide permissions for uses that conflict with "competitive works" clauses in existing publishing contracts.

6. Materials found on NWREL's 6+1 Trait^® Writing web site (thetraits.org) are protected by copyright, and the provisions of #2 above apply.

Documents posted on the site may not be reproduced for distribution in any other medium or on another web site without NWREL's permission. Links to pages on the web site from other sites do not require permission. The 6+1 Trait^® Assessment Scoring Guide (found at http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/pdfRubrics/6plus1traits.PDF ) is the basic "rubric" for the model and may be reproduced in its entirety under "fair use" for classroom educational purposes without further permission; any other use of the Scoring Guide will require permission.

NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE USERS:

NWREL must monitor and enforce its intellectual property rights in order to maintain them. If you are considering using NWREL's trait-based writing assessment and instruction materials in any way not consistent with the above characteristics of approved use, your actions may be subject to legal penalties. Please contact NWREL's Director of Development and Communications, Dave Wilson, for permissions or if you have any questions.