Reading Apprenticeship®
About the Intervention
Reading Apprenticeship® is a professional development program for teachers in middle schools, high schools, and community colleges across content areas (English, mathematics, science, and social studies). The program trains teachers to model reading comprehension strategies and help students practice these strategies in their classrooms, with the goal of improving student literacy skills and social-emotional learning outcomes such as belonging, social awareness, growth mindset, and self-efficacy. Teachers participate in professional development courses (Reading Apprenticeship® Essentials I and II) delivered either online (nine 2-hour sessions) or in-person (3- to 10-day trainings), followed by on-site coaching. In the five studies reviewed, teachers typically received a 5-day introductory training in the summer before implementation (or 3 days for one package), with follow-up training and support throughout the school year including monthly professional learning community meetings, teacher leader meetings, weekly calls/emails, or periodic interviews. Teachers then implement Reading Apprenticeship® instructional strategies with their students over the course of one school year (with some students exposed for 2 years in two studies).
Statistical Findings
Positive effect: on science achievement
Positive effect: on grade point average
No effect: on life sciences achievement
No effect: on social studies achievement
No effect: on literacy achievement
No effect: on reading comprehension
No effect: on vocabulary
No effect: on mathematics achievement
No effect: on school attendance
No effect: on credit accumulation
No effect: on engagement
No effect: on happiness
No effect: on belonging
No effect: on positive identity
No effect: on growth mindset
No effect: on suspensions
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Social-Emotional LearningPrograms & Services
General Education, Teacher Professional Development / MentoringDelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
N/ATarget Groups
Teachers/Instructional TeamsCitation
U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, What Works Clearinghouse. (2023). Reading Apprenticeship®. Retrieved from https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/WWC/intervention/728.
Study Demographics
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Participant Gender
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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