The Literacy Coach's Handbook, First Edition: A Guide to Research-Based Practice (Solving Problems in Teaching of Literacy) - Softcover

"What a wealth of information is included in this book! It has so many resources, all pulled together in one volume. In addition to literacy coaches, administrators and classroom teachers will also find helpful information. Whether just beginning to initiate school reform and unsure of where to start, in the midst and trying to stay focused, or well on the way to ensuring that lasting changes are made, readers will find what they need in these pages. I will most certainly refer to this volume again and again."--Cece Tillman, MS, Literacy Coach, Davis Elementary School, Trenton, Georgia "A 'must read' for literacy coaches and administrators, this handbook defines the role of a literacy coach in a schoolwide, research-based reading improvement system. It not only describes what coaches need to know and do, but also provides guidance in how to do it. Valuable insights from practicing literacy coaches are provided, as well as practical suggestions for addressing the obstacles coaches may face in implementing and supporting change. This book has much to offer for use as a text in any degree program in reading, with particular value for graduate-level reading specialist programs."--Marie Mancuso, MEd, Director, Arizona Reading Initiative "It is with great pleasure and excitement for the reading field that I recommend Walpole and McKenna's book. Schools throughout the country are currently hiring coaches as part of their literacy reform efforts, yet relatively little is known about what a literacy coach does, and more importantly, how to be one. This unique book is filled with state-of-the-art research as well as practical and useful information about how to be a literacy coach. There is currently nothing like it in the field. It is an absolute 'must read' for all those involved in literacy reform at the school and district levels. As a text, the book can be used in graduate-level courses related to training reading specialists, and in graduate-level internships in reading and special education. It can also be used directly in the professional development of literacy coaches."--Janice A. Dole, PhD, Department of Teaching and Learning, University of Utah , .."a wonderful resource for schools where literacy coaches are being used to help improve reading achievement for all students....offers some very concrete guidelines for both the coach and for the school administration....This book is very useful for literacy coaches who are struggling to identify their roles and responsibilities--it is also very useful for school administrators who want to use the literacy coaches most effectively to improve their schools."-- BalancedReading.com "Noteworthy is the inclusion of numerous reproducible forms and templates to support the work of the literacy coach. This book, with its abundance of ideas and suggestions as well as background information, provides valuable insight and guidance for any literacy coach, whether the person is new to the position, or is a seasoned coach seeking to further her professional development. This book also would be useful as a guide for school administrators, teachers, and anyone involved in literacy reform at the district level. The book also could be used to advantage in any graduate level degree program in literacy."-- Childhood Education

Literacy coaching is currently a hot topic. This unique guide presents information and strategies to help literacy coaches meet the demands of designing and directing an elementary reading program. Step by step, this handbook provides the knowledge needed to ensure that teachers and students benefit from the concepts and methods emerging from scientifically based reading research. Invaluable reproducible tables, figures, and detailed examples illustrate best practices for:

* collecting and analyzing school-level achievement data
* selecting and organizing new curricula, texts, and resources
* conducting ongoing professional development
* providing feedback and assistance to individual teachers
* engaging the whole school community in supporting positive change.

Written by experienced literacy coach Michael C. McKenna, and prominent reading educator, Sharon Walpole. The clear and accessible style, and reproducible resources allow readers to connect with day-to-day tasks.