The Literacy Coach's Handbook: A Guide to Research-Based Practice (Solving Problems in the Teaching of Literacy) [Paperback]

Sharon Walpole PhD (Author), Michael C. McKenna PhD (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1593850344 | ISBN-13: 978-1593850340 | Publication Date: April 28, 2004 | Edition: 1

This comprehensive guide addresses the fundamentals of designing and directing a high-quality elementary reading program. Step by step, the book provides the knowledge needed to ensure that teachers and students benefit from scientifically based reading research. Aided by reproducible figures and many detailed examples, preservice and practicing literacy coaches learn best practices for:

 

*Analyzing student achievement.

*Selecting new curricula, texts, and resources.

*Providing professional development.

*Assisting individual teachers.

*Engaging the whole school community in supporting positive change. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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

About the Author

Sharon Walpole, PhD, is Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of Delaware. She has extensive school-based experience, including both high school teaching and elementary school administration. Dr. Walpole served as a research assistant and as a research associate at the Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA). She has also been involved in federally funded and homegrown schoolwide reform projects and participates in and studies the design and effects of schoolwide reforms, particularly those involving literacy coaches. The coauthor of two books and numerous articles, Dr. Walpole’s research interests include classroom- and school-level correlates of student achievement, particularly in schools engaged in improvement efforts.
 
Michael C. McKenna, PhD, is Thomas G. Jewell Professor of Reading at the University of Virginia. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of 15 books and more than 100 articles, chapters, and technical reports on a range of literacy topics. Dr. McKenna’s research has been sponsored by the National Reading Research Center and CIERA. He is the cowinner of National Reading Conference's Edward Fry Book Award and the American Library Association's Award for Outstanding Academic Books. He serves on the editorial board of Reading Research Quarterly, and has coedited themed issues of the Peabody Journal of Education and Reading and Writing Quarterly. Dr. McKenna’s research interests include comprehension in content settings, reading attitudes, technology applications, and beginning reading.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (April 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593850344
• ISBN-13: 978-1593850340
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Combination of Reserach and Easy Read, December 6, 2007

By 

Learning About Literacy (Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Literacy Coach's Handbook: A Guide to Research-Based Practice (Solving Problems in the Teaching of Literacy) (Paperback)

We often must chose a book that's an easy read, or a book with a clear research base. This book does both. A great read for anyone looking to have a successful literacy program in elementary schools. Walpole and McKenna get past the buzzwords and provide concrete examples that will help students.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Literacy Coach, August 19, 2009

By 

E. McNeil - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Literacy Coach's Handbook: A Guide to Research-Based Practice (Solving Problems in the Teaching of Literacy) (Paperback)

As a "new" literacy coach I felt this book was invaluable in helping me acquire a complete understanding of what the role is and can be. I have already referred to this text several times as I get ready for school and will continue to reference it throughout the school year. It's an excellent source of information!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reading specialist's review, May 10, 2009

By 

J. Holladay (MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Literacy Coach's Handbook: A Guide to Research-Based Practice (Solving Problems in the Teaching of Literacy) (Paperback)

This book was a grad school required text for class. As a grad student studying for my reading specialists license, this text was very helpful in informing me on how to run a reading program in a school. With the importance of RTI implementation in the schools, this book was very knowledgeable.