About the Book
Timely and accessible, this book provides nuts-and-bolts information and guidance for reading specialists in grades K-12 as well as those preparing for certification. The focus is on the many responsibilities of today's reading specialist, from teaching individual students to taking a leadership role in the schoolwide literacy program. Including discussion questions, self-reflective exercises, and lively examples and vignettes, the book presents research-based frameworks for:
* working with struggling readers and their teachers
* providing professional development and coaching
* planning curriculum and conducting assessments
* collaborating with parents and community-based programs
* writing winning grant proposals
* and much more!
Table of Contents:
The Role of Reading Specialists in Schools and Classrooms. An Overview of the Instructional Role. The Instructional Role: Initializing, Implementing, and Evaluating. Leadership of the Reading Specialist: What Does It Mean?. Professional Development. Coaching: Improving Classroom Literacy Instruction. Developing a School Reading Program. Assessment. School, Community, and Family Partnerships. Writing Proposals. The Reading Specialist as Lifelong Learner: Meeting Challenges and Changes. Appendices: Position Statement on the Role of the Reading Specialist, International Reading Association. Preparation for Job Interviews.
About the Author :
Rita M. Bean, PhD, is Professor of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, where she also directs a reading specialist intern program and the University Reading Center. Widely published in the professional literature, Dr. Bean is a former classroom teacher and K-12 reading supervisor.
Review :
"This valuable book will assist reading specialists in elementary, middle, and secondary schools to meet the challenge of creating effective and responsive learning environments for students. The helpful vignettes from exemplary reading specialists focus on the book's central themes: instruction, assessment, and leadership. Dr. Bean's extensive work and research in these areas brings refreshing clarity to the issues facing today's reading specialists."--Jerry Johns, PhD, Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus, Northern Illinois University; 2002-2003 President, International Reading Association "The job is not just helping struggling readers anymore! Today's reading specialists must develop schoolwide reading programs, coordinate professional development, forge school-community relationships, write grants, and much more. Drawing on research and years of experience, Rita Bean shows reading specialists how to fill all these roles in an up-to-date, easy-to-read volume that is jam-packed with good ideas. Indispensable for courses in a reading specialist program, this book is also a 'must have' for practicing reading specialists who want to hone their skills."--Mariam Jean Dreher, PhD, University of Maryland, College Park
"Rita Bean's tireless efforts in helping to articulate a contemporary role for the reading specialist in today's changing schools are enlightening for all educators. In this book, she crafts an eloquent description of the many diverse roles that a reading specialist must undertake--mentor, leader, peer, cultural broker, knowledge sharer, collaborator, and supporter. This is an essential resource for anyone who is considering becoming a reading specialist, and it should be required reading for administrators and teachers who work closely with reading specialists. As Bean explains, when educators work together on behalf on students, great things can happen."--James Flood, PhD, San Diego State University
"From the outset, this straightforward and engaging book sets forth the most important information that aspiring and practicing reading specialists need to know. Along the way, it stimulates readers to reflect on the challenges of instruction, assessment, and leadership that confront this multifaceted profession in the 21st century. Informed by the rich experiences of its author--a successful reading specialist, accomplished literacy researcher, and premier teacher educator--this volume will speak to professionals and students in ways they will thoroughly appreciate. As a text, I strongly recommend the book for graduate-level courses that are part of a reading specialist certificate or endorsement."--Bill Henk, EdD, Southern Illinois University
.,."the role of the reading specialist has never been as important as it is today because of the introduction of the "no child left behind" concept....this volume provides meaningful information on the role of reading specialists if they are to function effectively in schools and classrooms....This resource guide offers practical ideas for those working in the field of reading....Recommended. Graduate, faculty, and practitioners."--"Choice"
"Incorporating research findings, personal experiences, and vignettes from exemplary teachers. the author provides an excellent resource for established or aspiring reading specialists, and administrators and teachers who work with them."--"Curriculum Connections"
.,."a source of enlightenment for those of us who have been this far uninformed....The preface explains that it is written for the reading specialist and trainee reading specialist and for those it is an invaluable resource....Vignettes written by three practising reading specialists add personal perspectives while conveying the commitment and passion associated with this branch of education. While this text is written for American schools its plethora of information, theory, practice and wisdom makes it a particularly helpful book in any educational setting."--"Professional Educator"
"The author of this book has made an important contribution to the field by demystifying the role of the reading specialist and then situating this role within a socio-historical context....It has strong implications for education in both the present and the future. This book would be an outstanding introductory text for graduate students who are seeking certification. It also would be of interestto school administrators, curriculum specialists, policymakers, and all those interested in reforming schools to better meet the needs of struggling readers.--"Childhood Education"
..."the role of the reading specialist has never been as important as it is today because of the introduction of the "no child left behind" concept....this volume provides meaningful information on the role of reading specialists if they are to function effectively in schools and classrooms....This resource guide offers practical ideas for those working in the field of reading....Recommended. Graduate, faculty, and practitioners."--"Choice"
"Incorporating research findings, personal experiences, and vignettes from exemplary teachers. the author provides an excellent resource for established or aspiring reading specialists, and administrators and teachers who work with them."--"Curriculum Connections"
..."a source of enlightenment for those of us who have been this far uninformed....The preface explains that it is written for the reading specialist and trainee reading specialist and for those it is an invaluable resource....Vignettes written by three practising reading specialists add personal perspectives while conveying the commitment and passion associated with this branch of education. While this text is written for American schools its plethora of information, theory, practice and wisdom makes it a particularly helpful book in any educational setting."--"Professional Educator"
"The author of this book has made an important contribution to the field by demystifying the role of the reading specialist and then situating this role within a socio-historical context....It has strong implications for education in both the present and the future. This book would be an outstanding introductory text for graduate students who are seeking certification. It also would be of interestto school administrators, curriculum specialists, policymakers, and all those interested in reforming schools to better meet the needs of struggling readers.--"Childhood Education"
