Purpose of Project

Expanding the Reach is a professional development program designed to improve the reading practices of K-3 teachers in Title 1, low-performing schools [defined as schools that have failed to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under No Child Left Behind (NCLB)].

Expanding the Reach is a three-year project that began in 2004. The project is underway in 26 schools in Massachusetts, Tennessee and Washington.

Project Members and Partners

• The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Student Achievement and School Accountability Programs Office, launched Expanding the Reach of Scientifically Based Reading Research(Expanding the Reach) in 2004.

• There are three organizations assisting the U.S. Department of Education in implementing the Expanding the Reach project.

• DTI Associates, Inc., A Haverstick Company (DTI) is the prime contractor leading the Expanding the Reach team
• National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) has an array of reading specialists providing the technical assistance
• The Westchester Institute (TWI) is conducting the evaluation

• The Center for Applied Linguistics is providing technical assistance on reading instruction for English language learners.

• There are three scientifically-based reading research (SBRR) experts who are guiding the development and implementation of the Expanding the Reach project.

• Dr. Anne Cunningham
• Dr. Timothy Shanahan
• Dr. Dorothy Strickland

Professional Development and Technical Assistance

All technical assistance and professional development is based on SBRR, directed by the reading experts, and heavily influenced by The Elements Required to Provide High Quality Technical Assistance, published by the U.S. Department of Education in 2005.

Technical assistance is customized for each site, based on the site’s individualized professional development plan (Eplan), the site's prior experience with reading programs and the prior knowledge of teachers and administrators at the site. The content and provider of these technical assistance options are customized to meet each schools’ capacity-building needs. Expanding the Reach technical assistance options include:

• Electronic professional development plans (Eplans) for each school;
• 60-minute conference calls or Webinars;
• Half and Full day Workshops;
• Web casts;
• On-line study circles;
• Classroom observations;
• Support for participating in state/local SBRR training events;
• Consultations with SBRR experts and Technical Assistance Specialists (TASs).

The project team, reading specialists and the SBRR reading experts will provide on-site and electronic technical assistance to the schools. All specialists have been trained in SBRR by the reading experts.

NCFL’s reading specialists and the SBRR reading experts will provide on-site and virtual assistance to the schools. All specialists have been trained in SBRR by the reading experts.

Evaluation

The Westchester Institute (TWI), a New York State-based research and evaluation firm, has been contracted to conduct the independent evaluation of the project. The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the viability of the Expanding the Reach model to provide high quality professional development and technical assistance to Title I low- performing schools in order to enhance their capacity to deliver scientifically based reading research practices. The evaluation will also explore the impact of the model on teaching practices and reading achievement. TWI will be working closely with the project team and participating districts and schools to complete the evaluation using a balance of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, multiples sources of data, and user-friendly reporting products.