Reading Recovery is a short-term intervention for first graders having extreme difficulty with early reading and writing. Specially trained teachers work individually with students in daily 30-minute lessons lasting 12 to 20 weeks. After a full series of lessons, about 75% of these formerly lowest students reach grade-level standard.
 

Teaching Children

Learn about the parts of the lesson and the Observation Survey, the assessment tool developed by Reading Recovery's founder Dr. Marie Clay. Find out how Reading Recovery aligns with the five essential components of reading instruction and get answers to other questions.
Basic Facts | Lessons | Observation Survey | Marie Clay | Descubriendo la Lectura
Common Questions | Early Literacy Learning
 

Training

A highly qualified teacher improves outcomes, especially for struggling students. One of Reading Recovery's hallmarks is its initial yearlong training and ongoing professional development. Learn the training requirements for teachers, teacher leaders, and trainers. Locate training centers in the U.S. and Canada, and find out about the leadership group that guides Reading Recovery in North America.
For Teachers | For Teacher Leaders | For Trainers | Ongoing Training | Training Centers
Canadian Network | North American Trainers Group
 

Implementation

The typical Reading Recovery teacher works part-day in Reading Recovery and the other part-day in classrooms or small-group instruction -- bringing strong literacy teaching that benefits the whole school. Find out how to get started, including a look at costs and funding sources. Read how schools have successfully implemented Reading Recovery as part of a comprehensive literacy plan.
Getting Started | Comprehensive Literacy Plan | Effective Implementation | Cost
Funding | Standards and Guidelines | School Resources | Response to Intervention
 

Research & Evaluation

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) publishes intervention reports that assess research on beginning reading curricula and instructional strategies for kindergarten through Grade 3 students. By fall 2011, WWC had reviewed research studies for 171 programs in the beginning reading category, and only 26 met their rigorous standards. Of the 26 programs rated, Reading Recovery achieved top results, with positive ratings or potentially positive ratings across all four areas studied: alphabetics (phonemic awareness and phonics), fluency, comprehension, and general reading achievement. Read summaries of Reading Recovery research studies, research reviews, and critical analysis, and learn how data collected on every Reading Recovery student are collected annually.
What Works Clearinghouse | Effectiveness | Continued Progress | Reviews of Research
Cost Effectiveness | Responding to Critics | Data Evaluation: IDEC | Measuring Outcomes