The English Language Learner (ELL) population continues to steadily grow. While most research focuses on preservice or novice teachers' perceptions of their preparedness to instruct ELLs, there have been very limited studies focusing on veteran elementary teachers. The purpose of this qualitative multicase study was to explore veteran elementary…

Background: South African-structured reading programmes have been implemented in schools in South Africa. The Early Grade Reading Study (EGRS) is an education triple cocktail programme, which attempts to improve home language reading in a number of schools. Aim: The objective of this research was to find out how the educators involved in the…

This mixed methods descriptive study examined the effects of job-embedded professional development (JEPD) in reading on the content knowledge and instructional practice of teachers of English learners (ELs). Four first-grade teachers of ELs at one urban elementary school received JEPD over the course of a year. Results of pre- and posttests of…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the implementation of a Professional Learning Community (PLC) as a professional development model effective in altering teachers' perceptions of their knowledge and skill in teaching developmental writing in grades K-3. This research is necessary to examine how offering teachers…

This study seeks to address the current literacy skills, practices, and dispositions of teachers who educate students with significant disabilities. It sought to address two questions including how do teachers who educate students with significant disabilities design and implement literacy instruction, and how do teachers who educate students with…

This study uses Early Childhood Longitudinal Study data to investigate the importance of three general aspects of teacher effects--teacher background qualifications, attitudes, and instructional practices--to reading and math achievement gains in first grade. The results indicate that compared with instructional practices, background…

Author challenged the idea that first grade is the most important year for reading instruction and proposed second grade as most important. (Author/RK)

Presents, in a question-and-answer format, the views of two first grade teachers new to the Reading Recovery program. Explains the program and its impact on the students and teachers. (RS)

Used an in-depth qualitative study to examine implementation of portfolio assessment by four first-grade teachers. Found that teachers saw three major benefits of portfolios: (1) a means of communicating more effectively with families; (2) a tool to motivate, encourage, and instruct students in the skills of self-assessment; and (3) a mechanism to…

This study examines six teachers' responses inside and outside of their classrooms to increasingly mixed messages about how they should develop the literacy of California's youngest and most at-risk students. While they must develop highly developed knowledge and skills to teach literacy in linguistically diverse classrooms, they must also adhere…