This professional resource is a policy research brief by The National Council of Teachers of English. In it, the authors conclude that "reform in adolescent literacy requires a recognition of the seriousness of the problem as well as a reconceptualization of the role of secondary school teachers in all fields, including the introduction of new approaches to teaching, new forms of collaboration, and systematic assessment of results." Professional development is viewed as being the most promising productive area on which to focus reform efforts since research shows that "professional development yields the greatest improvement in student achievement." The importance of teacher quality is discussed at length.

The most effective form of professional development, according to research supplied in the brief, is offered by literacy coaches. Meeting the challenge of supplying "ten thousand literacy coaches" to help struggling adolescent readers will require the concerted and collaborative efforts of teachers, administrators, policy makers, higher education, and professional associations. To this effect, the article focuses on what adolescent literacy is, what strategies (motivation, comprehension, et. al) foster adolescent literacy, how to engage students in critical thinking, and the importance of formal and informal assessment. (author/ebm)