In a few schools the program is supported by school funds. Successful primary teachers participate in a year of intensive training by a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader. They are trained to become perceptive observers and assessors of the reading and writing behavior of young students. During training lessons, a teacher works individually with one of her students in a room with a one way mirror while the rest of the teachers observe from the other side of the class. Guided by the teacher leader the teachers observe the lessons and discuss their observation.
Training continues in the form of contact classes and site visits from instructors.
Using input from the kindergarten and reading teacher, all first graders are ranked according to reading achievement. Using this data and considering age and attendance records, the students are selected.