The award may be used to attend a Reading Recovery Conference. This may be the National Conference, the International Reading Recovery Conference or one of the regional conferences.

The award covers up to $1000.00 in expenses incurred by your attendance at any of the events described above. This includes registration, airfare, hotel, meals (governed by state per diem), airport parking and ground transportation.

The actual amount of each award varies, depending on actual expenses. Recipients are required to turn in their original receipts immediately after the conference and are reimbursed within 30 days of submission. Receipts must provide details of the items that were purchased. Please be aware that expenses for alcoholic beverages will not be reimbursed. 

The application is in two parts:

1. The application form: The form requires contact information and other basic facts, including the number of years in Reading Recovery.
2. Two short essays: The essays are 100 words each maximum, to be submitted on a separate sheet of paper. They have a combined possible point score of 100.
   1. What new insights do you expect to gain at the conference to which you are applying? (60 Points)
      This essay should show the judges that you know what you need to learn. Be specific about the topics you think you most need to learn about in order to help your students, foster understanding among parents, and improve your own teaching.
   2. Briefly describe your financial need. (40 Points)

This essay should help the judges to understand the special circumstances that make it difficult for you to afford to go to the conference of your choice.

Applicants are urged to make sure the answers to the essay questions are no more than 100 words each. Everything over 100 words will be deleted.

The essay portions of each application are read by a panel of judges. The panel is made up of Reading Recovery university trainers, other university personnel and retired Reading Recovery professionals.

To ensure impartiality, the essays are read ‘blind.’ Each application is assigned a number by the office manager, and all mention of the applicant’s name, school and school system is deleted. Applicants should also count the number of words in each essay, as all words over the 100-word limit will be deleted. Please do not include photographs, graphics, or any decorations with your entry.

Essays are scored by the judges according to a point system, and have a possible combined score of 100. Generally, the judges are looking for quality and depth in the essays, including a clear understanding of Reading Recovery and its implementation. They are also seeking candidates who are articulate and who express themselves clearly, using good grammar, spelling and punctuation. Total scores are then divided by the number of judges for an average score. The award is conferred to the applicant with the highest average score.

If no applicant scores at least 85 of the possible 100 points, the judges reserve the right not to grant an award in that round. In case of a tie for the top score, the judges reserve the right to ask the tied applicants for additional information.

Recipients are expected to file a report regarding the conference attended and what was learned from this experience (and how it will be used) with the Georgia State University Paths to Literacy (formerly Reading Recovery Training Center) within two months of attending the conference.

Download the application from this website.

October 6, 2023

Applications must be received by the date above. The Georgia State University Paths to Literacy (formerly Reading Recovery Training Center) is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, incomplete or illegible applications. Applications must be submitted electronically to [email protected]  All applications become the property of the Georgia State University Paths to Literacy and will not be returned. By submitting an application, applicants agree to provide other information and documentation as may be reasonably requested by RRCNA. Winners will be notified by December 7, 2023.

Applications will be judged by the Georgia State University Paths to Literacy professionals whose decisions will be final in all respects. In the event that a candidate is unable, for any reason to attend the conference, the Paths to Literacy business manager should be informed so that the award can be conferred on the next highest-scoring candidate. By participating, entrants agree to the Official Rules and decisions of the Georgia State University Paths to Literacy, which shall be final in all respects.

Please contact the Georgia State University Paths to Literacy at 404-413-8252 or email [email protected] if you have specific award questions.