According to the International Reading Association in 2010, a reading specialist works with teachers as an instructor to help them assess and institute reading programs. It is also the job of the reading specialist to work with struggling readers in small groups or individually to help them improve reading skills. Some larger school districts employ one reading specialist for each school, but smaller districts may only have one who covers several schools. She is responsible for assessing, diagnosing and remediating reading problems in children at all levels. Her job when working with teachers is to keep them informed about the latest reading programs and strategies, to advise and to model.
A reading or literacy coach is a reading specialist whose job is to provide professional development on reading and literacy issues for teachers. Many districts employ reading coaches at all levels. There may one in each building or only at the district level, depending on the size of the district. It is the coach's job to plan and implement professional development that includes new techniques for working with struggling readers, lesson plans and current trends in reading instruction.
A master's degree in reading qualifies an individual to work part-time as an instructor for undergraduate students majoring in reading or education. Community colleges employ part-time instructors to teach a full range of courses in reading from basic literacy to development English. Teaching experience is sometimes a requirement for this position.
A remedial reading teacher works with struggling readers to improve their skills. Some schools have pull-out programs where small groups of students work with the remedial reading teacher. In other schools, the teacher may work with a classroom teacher in a team-teaching arrangement. Some school districts require the remedial reading teacher to have additional courses and certification in special education in order to teach this special student population.
Adult literacy teachers instruct adults in reading and writing. They work with public and private agencies to help adults acquire better literacy skills. The students in these classes may include immigrants and high school dropouts who require better skills for work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2010 that it expects an increase in the demand for adult literacy teachers due to immigration.