Our commitment to continuous learning and program improvement
Our collaboration with researchers examines the evolving implementation and impact of Reading Apprenticeship innovations, including cross-disciplinary literacy, digital and blended environments, as well as varied models of scale and application.
Reading Apprenticeship
impact at a glance
In multiple studies, students in Reading Apprenticeship classrooms out-perform peers on content area learning and literacy tests.
Five federally-funded, randomized controlled studies found that high school students whose teachers participated in Reading Apprenticeship professional development made significant gains in engagement, literacy and discipline academic success.
These consistent findings establish Reading Apprenticeship as a highly effective professional learning solution that brings real results in transforming instruction to increase literacy and overall academic success.
Studies show that Reading Apprenticeship produces:
- Standardized test scores over a year ahead of control students
- Significant impact on students’ reading comprehension scores
- Substantial improvement in students’ GPA in core academic classes
- Positive shifts in students’ identities as readers, problem-solvers and independent learners
- Statistically significant impact on student literacy in science classes
Explore Reading Apprenticeship’s impact and
improvement studies
Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Grant
2018–2022
Supporting Effective Educator Development with Disciplinary Literacy (SETDI)
Learn more about this multi-year effort to support teacher effectiveness at the secondary levels and develop open education STEM resources.
Institute of Education Sciences
2011–2016
PROJECT READI: Reading, Evidence, and Argumentation in Disciplinary Instruction
Part of the large federal “Reading for Understanding” Initiative, our work showed how evidence-based argumentation can increase the reading comprehension of students in grades 6-12.
Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Grant
2016–2019
Reading Apprenticeship Across the Disciplines
Learn more about this project to improve teacher effectiveness and student learning at the secondary level by providing literacy focused, research-based professional learning experiences to 2,000 teachers.
Implementation Stories
College Composition Course
Sacramento, CA
"I was surprised by how grateful these transfer-level university students were to have me teach reading strategies."
Principals See Transformation in Reading Passage Rates
Reading passage rates went from 29% to 54% after one semester, then to 61% several months later.
From “sitting there with a book” to engaged learning: impact of a comprehensive approach to teaching
Implementation of a district-wide Reading Apprenticeship approach resulted in 87% of students advancing their reading level.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District
Charlotte, NC
Multi-year comprehensive approach with instructional leadership teams.
Renton Technical College
Renton, WA
Support faculty across career and technical fields to update and collaborate on curriculum and instruction.
The State of Maryland
Federal comprehensive literacy grant supported state-wide effort that led to student success.
Northern Essex Community College
Essex County, MA
Faculty driven, grass roots initiative brings campus-wide transformation at Northern Essex Community College.
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
Faculty collaboration builds student success.