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A Guide to Literacy Coaching
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A Guide to Literacy Coaching
Helping Teachers Increase Student Achievement

Edited by:


April 2008 | 296 pages | Corwin

"A very hands-on approach to helping teachers, parents, students, and the community. Coaches are not only given the theory behind what they do, but also the knowledge of how to implement the research and theory."
—Emme Barnes, Literacy Facilitator
Hawk Ridge Elementary, Charlotte, NC

"This superior text clarifies the responsibilities, qualifications, and capabilities of the coach within and without the school and as a leadership partner."
—Connie Molony, Reading-Language Arts Specialist
Fargo Public Schools, ND

An essential guide to the "what" and the "how" of literacy coaching!

Literacy coaches regularly encounter practical and theoretical issues, ranging from decoding national and state coaching requirements to understanding how to work effectively with all students, including those with special needs. This practical guide presents effective coaching strategies and best practices for enhancing literacy instruction and student performance across all grade levels.

Ideal for individual or group professional development, this text covers skill requirements for coaching and describes four roles of effective coaches: facilitator, observer, colleague, and learner. Readers will find sample scenarios, advice from recognized literacy experts, and topic extensions for study groups, as well as:

  • Information on NCLB, Reading First, and Reading Next requirements
  • Insight into developing relationships with school administrators
  • Tips for coaching difficult or noncompliant teachers
  • Practical recommendations for first-year coaches

A Guide to Literacy Coaching illuminates the many practical strategies literacy coaches, mentors, teacher leaders, and staff developers can use to collaborate with multiple school constituencies to promote teacher development and schoolwide literacy success.


 
List of Figures
 
List of Resources
 
Foreword by Rita Bean
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
1. The Nature of Literacy Coaching in America's Schools
Introduction

 
Why Literacy Coaching Is Important

 
What Is a Literacy Coach?

 
What Are the Differences Between a Literacy Coach and a Reading Specialist?

 
Coaching Labels

 
Position Statements on the Literacy Coach

 
Role and Qualifications of the Literacy Coach

 
Standards for Middle and High School Literacy Coaches

 
Literacy Coaching Clearinghouse

 
Literacy Coaching Certification Throughout the United States

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Dr. Cathy Roller

 
Summary

 
Topic Extensions for Class Sessions or Study Groups

 
 
2. The Multiple Roles of the Literacy Coach: Facilitator, Observer, Colleague, and Learner
Introduction

 
Scenario

 
Coach as Facilitator

 
Coach as Observer

 
Coach as Colleague

 
Coach as Learner

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Dr. Jack Cassidy

 
Summary

 
Topic Extensions for Class Sessions or Study Groups

 
 
3. Assistance and Resources for New and Experienced Literacy Coaches
Introduction

 
Scenario

 
A Glimpse at First-Year Coaching

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Dr. Roger Farr

 
The Coach's Assignment

 
Resources and Assistance Available to Literacy Coaches

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Dr. Shelley Wepner

 
Summary

 
Topic Extensions for Class Sessions or Study Groups

 
 
4. The Schools in Which We Work
Introduction

 
Scenario

 
Primary/Elementary School Settings

 
Middle and High School Settings

 
Special Education Classroom Settings

 
Two Experts' Thoughts: Dr. Richard Vacca and Dr. JoAnne Vacca

 
Summary

 
Topic Extensions for Class Sessions or Study Groups

 
 
5. The Communities in Which We Work
Introduction

 
Scenario

 
Parents: Groups and Individuals

 
Linking Teachers to Professional Organizations

 
Government Relations

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Dr. Jesse Moore

 
Linking to Other Literacy Agencies

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Dr. Linda Katz

 
Summary

 
Topic Extensions for Class Strategies or Study Groups

 
 
6. Literacy Leadership
Introduction

 
Scenario

 
The Leadership Role

 
Working With School Administrators

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Dr. Ken Koczur

 
Summary

 
Topic Extensions for Class Sessions or Study Groups

 
 
7. Collaboration With Classroom Teachers
Introduction

 
Scenario

 
Coaching the Struggling Teacher

 
Coaching the Noncompliant Teacher

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Laura Richlin, Literacy Coach

 
Summary

 
Topic Extensions for Class Sessions or Study Groups

 
 
8. Collaboration With Other Professionals and School Personnel
Introduction

 
Scenario

 
Collaborating Within the School

 
Collaboration Outside the School

 
Collaboration Through Professional Development

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Theresa Manfre, Reading Specialist

 
Summary

 
Topic Extensions for Class Sessions or Study Groups

 
 
9. Assessment: Focus on Student Achievement
Introduction

 
Scenario

 
Collecting and Analyzing Data

 
Schoolwide Data

 
Classroom Data

 
Observation Data

 
Report Writing

 
An Expert's Thoughts: Dr. Richard Allington

 
Summary

 
Extension Topics for Class Sessions or Study Groups

 
 
10. Major Reports That Impact Literacy Coaching
Introduction

 
Scenario

 
What the Literacy Coach Should Know About the National Reading Panel Report

 
What the Literacy Coach Should Know About the Reading First Initiative

 
What the Literacy Coach Should Know About Reading Next: A Vision for Action and Research in Middle and High School Literacy

 
What the Literacy Coach Should Know About the RAND Report

 
What the Literacy Coach Should Know About Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literacy Reading in America

 
How Do Literacy Coaches Obtain Needed Knowledge?

 
Summary

 
Topic Extensions for Class Sessions or Study Groups

 
 
References
 
Index

"The book outlines how effective coaching models can be implemented and is very clear about what a coach should be doing to perform their duties. The interviews with experts contain helpful information and lots of viewpoints."

Victoria Seeger, Literacy Coach
Seaman USD 345, Topeka, KS

"Contains a wealth of knowledge, techniques, report forms, checklists, and research to support someone working in literacy coaching."

Dolores M. Hennessy, Reading Specialist
Sarah Noble School, New Milford, CT

"The book shows the differences between a reading specialist and a literacy coach and then goes on to explain all the work of a literacy coach."

Amy Q. Blocher, Reading Coach
Polk County School Board, FL

"A very hands-on approach to helping teachers, parents, students, and the community. Coaches are not only given the theory behind what they do, but are given the knowledge of how to implement the research and the theory. As a coach who tries to stay on top of current research, I really enjoyed reading the various perspectives offered by the experts on the different topics. In addition, the discussion sections at the end of each chapter will be beneficial for people new to the profession or who are learning about this profession in graduate school."

Emme Barnes, Literacy Facilitator
Hawk Ridge Elementary, Charlotte, NC

"A valuable addition to the descriptive literature on the role of literacy coaches. This superior text clarifies the responsibilities, qualifications, and capabilities of the coach within and without the school and as a leadership partner."

Connie Molony, Reading-Language Arts Specialist
Fargo Public Schools, ND

"A terrific resource for reading coaches. It brings to light the need for certification or a means for getting qualified coaches. There aren't a lot of books on coaching, and I found this one to be very enlightening."

Carrie Dillmore, Reading Coach
Peace River Elementary School, Port Charlotte, FL

"From sample scenarios and coaching challenges to details on developing coaching relationships with school administrators, this book is packed with important coaching keys to success."

The Bookwatch, July 2008
Midwest Book Review
Key features
  • Links to requirements of NCLB, Reading First and Reading Next
  • Sorts out the national and state requirements for literacy coaches
  • Clarifies the multiple roles of coaches
  • Distinguishes between responsibilities of reading specialists and coaches
  • Includes expert coaching advice in mini-interviews with national literacy coaching experts
  • Extends coaches' repertoires of content and coaching strategies
  • Provides concrete help to aid coaches in supporting teachers
  • Shows principals what to look for in a literacy coach and program
  • Provides essential framework of what to coach and how to coach it

Purchasing options

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or order@corwin.com.

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For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
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