Actions and training in renewal plans designed by Reading RecoveryRTM teacher leaders

Standards and Guidelines for the Reading Recovery RTM Council of North America regard a trained Reading Recovery Teacher in lapsed status when he/she is absent from the teaching of Reading Recovery for more than one year. Teacher Leaders, with University Trainers and Training Center consultation, design renewal plans to return Reading Recovery Teachers to active status. The purpose of this study was to determine the instructional nature of renewal plans designed by Teacher Leaders and the extent of preparation Teacher Leaders have had in designing renewal plans for teachers returning to practice after an absence of more than one year. The study examined the differences Teacher Leaders' years of experience made in renewal plan design and the extent to which differences in Teacher Leaders' years of experience have prepared them to design renewal plans.;A researcher-developed questionnaire collected data from a random sample of 226 registered Teacher Leaders throughout the United States. Fivepoint Likert scales established means and standard deviations for the instructional nature of the renewal plans and the extent to which Teacher Leaders are prepared to design renewal plans. The t tests compared responses on the instructional nature of renewal plans based on Teacher Leaders' years of experience and the extent to which Teacher Leaders are prepared to design renewal plans based on years of experience. Study findings report Teacher Leaders include activities common to the framework of Reading Recovery: (a) teaching components, (b) procedural elements, (c) record keeping, (d) communication skills with persons interested in the student's welfare, and (e) collegial support activities. Non face-to-face activities are not likely to be included in renewal plans. Teacher Leaders report they are moderately prepared to design renewal plans for returning Reading Recovery Teachers. Prior to this study, little research was located pertaining to renewal plans for returning Reading Recovery Teachers. This study successfully establishes baseline research regarding the actions Teacher Leaders take in restoring returning Reading Recovery Teachers to active status.