Abstract
Classroom teachers and reading specialists in two Midwestern elementary schools were interviewed to elicit evaluations of their Chapter 1 reading programs. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with three reading specialists and 27 classroom teachers who had children involved in the Chapter 1 programs in the two schools. Constant comparative data analysis was conducted with the transcribed interview data, and prominent themes emerged concerning the coherence and coordination that existed between specialists and classroom teachers. The results showed that specialists constructed their roles differently with each classroom teacher with whom they worked. Secondly, there was a lack of joint planning that occurred between the two groups of teachers. Third, specialists and classroom teachers had varied definitions of Chapter 1 program impact which reflected different goals of the two reading programs. Finally, different philosophies regarding the reading process were held by the two kinds of teachers in these schools. These findings suggest that all teachers who are responsible for the instruction of at-risk students must be given time and encouragement to communicate and coordinate their programs to meet the needs of the children in their schools.