P-12 school districts may look for ways to evaluate teaching materials, resources, and practices in an attempt to make thoughtful instructional decisions - moving towards a balanced literacy approach. This study focused on a collaborative effort between a university and a partnership district to perform a literacy needs audit for grades K-5. The…

From 2005-2009, the state determined that the Williams School had made no progress in raising its poor performance on the state English language arts test. In the fall of 2009, the state awarded literacy partnership grants to provide professional development to low-performing schools, and the Williams School partnered with our institution of…

As instructors of preservice teachers both researchers have spent time in classrooms observing the reading block. Teacher read-alouds were observed and a disconcerting occurrence became apparent to both researchers independently. Teachers took two seemingly dissimilar approaches to the practice of read-alouds. Teachers observed, either implemented…

From 2005-2009, the state determined that the Williams School had made no progress in raising its poor performance on the state English language arts test. In the fall of 2009, the state awarded literacy partnership grants to provide professional development to low-performing schools, and the Williams School partnered with our institution of…

Shared reading is a common practice in preschool classrooms and is purported to develop oral language, print concepts, and listening comprehension. The actual practice of reading aloud differed greatly among observed classrooms resulting in variations in potential positive effects. This study examines the potential effects of professional…

Two university professors and 11 urban school faculty collaborated on a professional development (PD) effort focused on critical literacy to explore literacy practices aimed to reshape definitions of literacy that involved questioning power relationships concerning the environment and social justice. We examined the journey of a veteran teacher,…

For decades there has been a divide between educational research and practice. Sometimes the blame is placed on teachers for not following research-based strategies or not being trained well enough to read the literature. Just as frequently the blame is placed on researchers for not (a) studying topics important to teachers, (b) writing them so…

Discusses one approach a department of elementary education has taken to prepare faculty regarding the incorporation of technology use for preservice preparation. Presents individual application of technology use in three different methods courses as well as the staff development program used to prepare faculty members. (RS)

Describes how the College of Education at the University of Kentucky is implementing Internet communications training for pre-service teachers and for teacher professional development programs. (RS)

Outlines the usefulness of a book club for elementary school teachers and reading supervisors on the topic of the teaching of reading. Discusses choosing topics for discussion, organizing the club, and forming a community of learners. Stresses the importance of reading across the curriculum. Argues that such a reading club can also assist teachers…

Learning to read is one of the most critical and powerful achievements in life. Ensuring that all young children reach their potential in literacy development is the shared responsibility of many, though as emphasis is placed on establishing literacy leaders in many schools, literacy coaches and classroom teachers are being looked upon as having…

Describes a collaborative effort between the Meigs (Ohio) local school district and the college of education at Ohio University that had significant positive effects on students' reading achievement and teacher effectiveness in reading instruction. (RL)