Preparing teachers to effectively deliver reading instruction and behavioral supports in response to intervention frameworks

Successful implementation of Response to Intervention frameworks in schools requires general and special education teachers to have wellintegrated knowledge bases for providing instruction and intervention in reading and behavior. Implementation-focused approaches to changing teacher behavior, favored traditionally in special education, however, are unlikely to help teachers acquire such knowledge. In this chapter, we discuss the knowledge and practice that defines expert teachers in reading and behavior and how such expertise might be achieved through practice-focused approaches to initial teacher education and professional development.