What expertise must a reading specialist possess to assist teachers effectively?

To assist teachers effectively, a reading specialist must have the knowledge necessary to choose appropriate materials based on supporting data. This expertise is crucial because it ensures that the reading specialist can analyze and interpret various forms of data, such as assessment results, to inform instructional strategies that meet the diverse needs of students. Knowledge of data-driven decision-making enables a reading specialist to select texts and resources that are aligned with students' current reading levels and areas needing improvement. This targeted approach contributes significantly to enhancing students' reading skills and overall literacy development.

While understanding students' social behaviors and psychological assessments can be beneficial, they are not as directly related to the core responsibility of selecting and adapting instructional materials for reading. The ability to teach all subjects equally is less relevant, as reading specialists specifically focus on literacy and reading instruction, rather than providing comprehensive teaching across all subject areas.