Component 3:
Providing Researched Based Professional Development

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                    Researched based professional development will be provided by Project ROAR to train teaching staff.  Professional development in the form of intensive, high-quality professional development along with individual on-site mentoring will be used.  Through out the three years of the grant, training will include monthly professional development and a week long summer institute for each year. Topics for all professional development will be based on evidence-based research for pre-schools and its implication for reading instruction as well as classroom support for students with special learning needs. 
         
          Topics for professional development during Project ROAR will include:

• Year one – Providing instruction in the four components of early literacy oral language, phonological awareness, print awareness and alphabet knowledge. 
• Year two - Using assessments to plan explicit and intentional instruction to meet the individual needs of all children. 
• Year three - Professional development in the areas of need as observed by Project ROAR staff and/or requested by teaching staff of Project ROAR classrooms.

          Professional development occurring systematically over time, coupled with opportunities to apply knowledge and obtain immediate feedback from a mentor, should be particularly effective.  The comprehensive research-based literacy focused professional development provided through ROAR will prepare teaching staff to facilitate low-income children’s language and literacy learning to prevent them from encountering reading difficulties once they enter school.