Dr. Lisa Didion is an assistant professor of special education who studies data literacy and teacher professional development. In this Q&A, Didion provides research-based tips for planning professional development that is beneficial for teachers.

In their meta-analysis, Didion et al. (2019) find that teacher PD generally has a positive effect on student reading achievement in Grades K–8.

Learn about an instructional cycle that also involves coaching and planning next steps as a team in our Q&A with Cedar Rapids Schools’ administrators.

Green Hills Area Education Agency enlists Iowa Reading Research Center help in looking at data to evaluate impact of its literacy professional development.

Implementation of small-group, skills-based instruction for literacy is underway in schools in Sioux City. Two principals discuss the process so far.