Reading Recovery is a research based, early intervention program for the lowest-achieving first graders. It is a short-term intervention of 12-20 weeks, in which children will become independent and are able read independently within the average range of their peers. Students receive 30 minutes of daily, one-to-one instruction from highly trained teachers. Reading Recovery teachers develop analytical skills through a combination of academic coursework and daily teaching. They engage in intensive interaction with colleagues during a series of yearly, required professional development sessions. Their expertise at observing children's reading and writing processes allows the necessary moment-to-moment decision-making that accelerates the children's learning.