Over thirty years, Haskins Laboratories has been involved in research and practice related to literacy, including the science of teaching reading" from 2000-2009 the Haskins Literacy Initiative (HLI) focused on projects related to early reading success and teacher development and mentoring. Current work is focusing on fundamental research related to literacy, bilingualism, and the neural support for language and reading. Below are highlights from the HLI professional development/mentoring project that ended in 2009.

• Translated the latest findings from Haskins Laboratories—and other reading researchers—into professional development and classroom  practices to help teachers instruct reading more effectively.

• Created and delivered a sustainable model by continually monitoring, analyzing, and refining the content and conduct of professional development and embedded coaching, and by extensively training on-site Teacher Specialists to continue mentoring teachers.

• Continued to design and conduct research to improve teacher knowledge and student achievement in reading.

• Used student data to drive and differentiate instruction with an eye to improving the efficacy of student assessment tools.

• Created “method-proof” teachers who can weigh the merits of the latest reading research, programs, and materials.

• Tailored professional development to meet the needs of individual schools, teachers, and students, and advised about key materials needed to supplement existing school curricula.

• Provided a realistic roadmap to higher student achievement through scope-and-sequences with clear curricular goals that guide seamless delivery of reading instruction across grade levels.