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 how students see themselves 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
Rich Township, IL - Student Growth
Rich Township High School District 227, IL
Amid many challenges common to schools in the early 2020s, Rich Township High School District 227 9th graders nearly doubled their reading growth in 2023/24. This notable achievement is the result of a strategic and sustained approach to literacy and professional learning. Located in South Cook County outside of Chicago, Rich Township’s student population is…
How Did That Go?
Portland, OR
In the online Reading Apprenticeship 101 course, community college faculty try out key practices and report back. Their reflections are instructive for everyone.
“Unorthodox” College Physics Class Wins Praise
Pasadena, CA
Lilit Haroyan teaches physics in a way that some of her community college students find unorthodox.
Dixon High School Cites Role of Reading Apprenticeship in Schoolwide Literacy Gains
An ethnically, linguistically, and economically diverse school in California’s agricultural Sacramento area and early adopter of Reading Apprenticeship.
The State of Michigan
2,200 teachers from urban, rural and suburban communities benefit from focus on literacy leadership over 15+ years.
High School AP Courses
New Milford, PA
Pennsylvania teachers report bringing Reading Apprenticeship to their AP courses—with outstanding results.
High School Biology
Wyomissing, PA
It’s the second week of school. Rob Cushman’s non-honors, non-AP biology students have done a little reading and talking about scientific inquiry.
ESL, Grade 7
Middle School Classroom
See close-up examples of student annotations and how Talking to the Text builds engagement.