Analysis of data can help in locating problem areas. This should lead to improvement that enhance the quality of the implementation while reducing costs. These records are invaluable to the trained teacher in that they help the teacher in discovering strengths and needs that must be considered for the next day's instruction. The Teacher Leader uses weekly samples of this data to monitor the progress of the children and to help the teachers when needed. Also, the Observation Survey assessment is used with a random sample of first graders not served by Reading Recovery to establish criteria for measuring performances.
Guidelines accompany the distribution of forms to assure uniform data collection practices.
Questionnaires are directed to parents, the classroom teachers of the children, school administrators, trained and in-training Reading Recovery teachers. The format of the questionnaire is mostly open ended giving the respondent a chance to express their opinions about the program and the way it is being administered. As mentioned earlier, the daily records in reading and writing and the attendance reports are also used to support the research efforts to evaluate program effectiveness.