In this cross-case study, we examined how two reading specialist candidates negotiated their yearlong practicum experiences in relation to university coursework and their previous teaching experience. Data sources included interviews, weekly teaching logs, and field observations. Findings reported in extended vignettes reveal how both interns were…

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the self-efficacy beliefs of 25 literacy specialist candidates in three key leadership areas before and after 15-week internships in schools. The three leadership areas, identified by university faculty as important to the leadership role of literacy specialists in schools today, are: 1)…

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to explore the ways in which one specialized literacy professional (SLP) navigated and reflected on coaching conversations with teachers. The participants for this study were one elementary school SLP and two classroom teachers at the same school. Coaching conversations the SLP held with teachers, the…

Literacy coaches need support developing their professional capacities for coaching (Kern et al., 2018). This study explored the ways novice literacy coaches developed literacy coaching discourses during coursework in two reading specialist master's degree programs. Through qualitative and discourse analysis of transcribed coaching videos and…

This article reports on the results of 11 interviews conducted as a follow-up to a survey that examined the perceptions of university faculty regarding the importance of graduate programs preparing reading specialists for leadership roles. The results of the interviews indicate that programs require a leadership course that has reading specialist…

This paper discusses the shift from a clinic model to a community model for the practicum experience for literacy education graduate students. The traditional program for the remediation of struggling readers followed a deficit model. Therefore, the reading specialist would pull out the child from regular classroom instruction to isolate a reading…

Discusses the uses of surveys, notes the types of survey instruments available, and provides examples of survey instruments to assess teacher competencies and student reading behavior. Suggests that surveys are especially useful for providing information for two sections of grant applications: the needs assessment and comprehensive planning…

Assesses the "state of the art" of content reading, pointing to significant strides that have been made in dealing with the needs of content area reading, as well as to significant advances that still need to be made. (Author/GT)

Discusses the contradictions found in recommendations for direction instruction or informal math language development, and some suggestions for practical resolution of disagreements, to enable school reading specialists to provide both background and practical help to classroom instructors teaching math. (HTH)

Describes a resource teacher's efforts to implement a program to improve reading at the secondary level in a Florida school. Offers activities used in the program. (FL)

Traces the literary treatment of causes and symptoms of reading disabilities through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Points out several concepts which are changing the earlier diagnostic-remedial role of classroom teachers. (ARH)

Discusses the question of who should teach reading to students diagnosed as learning disabled--a reading specialist or a learning disabled teacher. (FL)

Discusses trends in staff development and cites implications for reading personnel. (MKM)