The goal of this research was to understand the work lives of literacy coaches in central Florida by studying who they were, what they did, and what they believed influenced student achievement. In addition, it was important to understand the perceptions of literacy coaches as to what factors influenced positive changes in student achievement. Of 27 central Florida literacy coaches, this study examined the academic and professional background of each coach, explored the time spent on ten key literacy coaching activities, and analyzed work factors related to student achievement in reading on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Although the literacy coaching role was one that was expanding in the United States through state funding initiatives, much about the role and its effectiveness were not known through the literature. A web-based survey system and purposive interviews were used to gather important data relevant to providing understandings about literacy coaches. Exploratory regression analyses using coaching activities and school performance measures were run to determine the existence of relationships. Qualitative analysis was employed to develop literacy coaching themes from survey responses, and all data were triangulated and used to develop case studies. Case studies provided narrative descriptions of all data in the context of individual schools and their coaches all embedded within case types as identified by prior year school letter grade. The results of the study showed an overwhelming amount of time was spent on other activities not related to literacy coaching. Assisting with test preparation was one reason for other activity assignment. Modeling of literacy strategies was reported as one of the more useful and influential activities, but few of the coaches in the study organized their time for this. Case studies provided rich context into the work lives of literacy coaches. Suggested uses for the study included the development of stronger professional development programs for school administrators in working with high school literacy coaches. Although literacy coaches were a well-trained group, more specific training is needed in the re-allocation of time so that more influential activities are pursued.

Students who struggle with reading in their elementary years are likely to make poor academic progress, leave school before graduation, and struggle in the workplace. The district leaders at 24 K-5 elementary schools in a large Midwestern district were interested in a formative reading program evaluation to determine reading program effectiveness. This mixed methods study, approached from a cognitive and social theoretical framework, was a formative evaluation of the Balanced Literacy Reading Program implementation at these elementary schools. The purpose of this study was to capture the K-5 classroom teachers' (n = 113), instructional coaches' (n = 18), and principals' (n = 32) perceptions of the program in regard to the resources, staff development, leadership support, and impact on students and teachers. A parallel survey with both Likert and short-answer items was designed for each participant group based on these 4 categories. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed with open coding and thematic analysis. The primary finding was that participants in all 3 groups cited a need for professional development in the area of increasing student reading proficiency to grade level and beyond. As a result of the findings, a professional learning community was designed with a focus on in-depth collaboration to increase teacher knowledge and student achievement. District leaders were presented with the results of this study and recommendations for program improvement. These recommended improvements can impact social change by increasing student achievement, graduation rates, and workplace success.

Students who struggle with reading in their elementary years are likely to make poor academic progress, leave school before graduation, and struggle in the workplace. The district leaders at 24 K-5 elementary schools in a large Midwestern district were interested in a formative reading program evaluation to determine reading program effectiveness. This mixed methods study, approached from a cognitive and social theoretical framework, was a formative evaluation of the Balanced Literacy Reading Program implementation at these elementary schools. The purpose of this study was to capture the K-5 classroom teachers' (n = 113), instructional coaches' (n = 18), and principals' (n = 32) perceptions of the program in regard to the resources, staff development, leadership support, and impact on students and teachers. A parallel survey with both Likert and short-answer items was designed for each participant group based on these 4 categories. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed with open coding and thematic analysis. The primary finding was that participants in all 3 groups cited a need for professional development in the area of increasing student reading proficiency to grade level and beyond. As a result of the findings, a professional learning community was designed with a focus on in-depth collaboration to increase teacher knowledge and student achievement. District leaders were presented with the results of this study and recommendations for program improvement. These recommended improvements can impact social change by increasing student achievement, graduation rates, and workplace success.