Professional Development in Reading Instruction EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF RURAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH DISTANCE COACHING ON RTI-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL DIFFERENTIATION (PROJECT READERS)

The purpose of Project READERS is to investigate the efficacy of two variations of teacher professional development with coaching in the use of student data to inform the differentiation of K-3 reading instruction. Early elementary teachers (N = 360) will learn and apply methods for collecting and using data to make instructional decisions and to implement effective interventions based on individual student needs. The project will investigate the differential effects of professional development with distance coaching (using technology to reach and support teachers) versus on-site (face-to-face) coaching on rural teachers' knowledge/practice and student outcomes. The impact of each form of coaching (distance and on-site) will be compared to the receipt of no professional development.