Designing Professional Development in Literacy

Reviews / Votes

"Today's reading or literacy specialist not only needs to know how to work with children, but also must have skills for assisting in teachers' professional development. This has been a huge paradigm shift for university training programs as well as for reading specialists themselves. This timely book describes a professional development model that is grounded in International Reading Association standards, knowledge of adult learning, and the practical experience of the authors. It will help reading specialists master their changing roles, and will provide university trainers with a blueprint for what their candidates will be required to know and do."--Barbara Chesler, EdD, Spadoni College of Education, Coastal Carolina University


"This book is loaded with insights and sharp observations about what it takes to establish and sustain the sort of professional development likely to have a meaningful impact on teachers and students. The interplay of theory and practice, concepts and logistics, and state-level policy and classroom teaching is deftly handled and exceedingly informative. Anyone interested in professional development or, more generally, how a whole school system can be taken to a new level of performance should read this excellent book, discuss it with colleagues, and ponder its implications. We owe it to our students."--Claude Goldenberg, PhD, College of Education, California State University, Long Beach


"A 'must read' for administrators, reading supervisors, literacy coaches, and university professors. This book clearly outlines what a comprehensive approach to improving reading instruction in the schools should look like. Anyone looking for a 'quick fix' needs to think again: True reform is a time-consuming process that involves a clear vision, a dedicated team, and copious amounts of planning. Fortunately, this book presents an excellent model for us to follow."--Jennifer Shettel, MEd, reading specialist and literacy coach, Cocalico School District, Denver, Pennsylvania "Today's reading or literacy specialist not only needs to know how to work with children, but also must have skills for assisting in teachers' professional development. This has been a huge paradigm shift for university training programs as well as reading specialists themselves. This timely book describes a professional development model that is grounded in International Reading Association standards, knowledge of adult learning, and the practical experience of the authors. It will help reading specialists master their changing roles, and will provide university trainers with a blueprint for what their candidates will be required to know and do." - Barbara Chesler, EdD, Spadoni College of Education, Coastal Carolina University, USA

'This book is loaded with insights and sharp observations about what it takes to establish and sustain the sort of professional development likely to have a meaningful impact on teachers and students. The interplay of theory and practice, concepts and logistics, and state-level policy and classroom teaching is deftly handled and exceedingly informative. Anyone interested in professional development or, more generally, how a whole school system can be taken to a new level of performance should read this excellent book, discuss it with colleagues, and ponder its implications. We owe it to our students.' - Claude Goldenberg, PhD, College of Education, California State University, Long Beach, USA

'A 'must read' for administrators, reading supervisors, literacy coaches, and university professors. This book clearly outlines what a comprehensive approach to improving reading instruction in the schools should look like. Anyone looking for a 'quick fix' needs to think again: True reform is a time-consuming process that involves a clear vision, a dedicated team, and copious amounts of planning. Fortunately, this book presents an excellent model for us to follow.' - Jennifer Shettel, MEd, reading specialist and literacy coach, Cocalico School District, Denver, Pennsylvania, USA