The almost 10% increase in elementary school foreign language programs in the United States in the past 10 years has resulted in a serious shortage of professionally prepared teachers for these programs. This study investigates the impact of a national institute on effecting change in the number of colleges and universities that prepare elementary school foreign language teachers. The institute provides professional preparation in early language education to teacher educators throughout the nation. Results of survey instruments and telephone interviews with the teacher educator participants indicate that the number of sites that prepare teachers for the early level of instruction did increase and that the institute resulted in many additional positive benefits. The profession is encouraged to work together to address the foreign language teacher shortage at the elementary school level to avoid repeating the crisis of the 1950s and 1960s.

Readers theater is a familiar literacy strategy for children who can read independently; however, it can also be used with younger children who have not yet developed independent reading skills. The purpose of this article is to adapt the concept of readers theater for use with emergent readers. It focuses first on defining readers theater and its many benefits, particularly in the areas of literacy development. Finally, it includes suggestions for successfully implementing a readers theater program with young children.

Thank you to the members of my committee, Leslie Bloom, Karen Donaldson, Steve Heirostadt, and Rex Thomas for their academically adventurous spirits, keen insights, and support. Throughout my graduate program, there was not a single conference or professional meeting I attended without hearing horror stories of graduate students at other universities whose committee members refused to allow innovation in dissertation research or formats. I experienced none of that and consider myself fortunate to have worked with them. I am especially grateful to Leslie Bloom for her guidance and thoughtful reading of my work. Leslie is a true mentor and friend. If this research is good, it is largely due to Leslie. I am also grateful to my major professor Jackie Bloimt for her fine example of scholarship and dedication. When I grow up I want to be just like Jackie! My family has remained a constant source of love and support. Their confidence in me helped me develop the courage to pursue this degree. Finally, special thanks to my loving husband and partner, Chris. Without him, this process would not have been nearly so fine, and I would not be nearly so happy.

Thank you to the members of my committee, Leslie Bloom, Karen Donaldson, Steve Heirostadt, and Rex Thomas for their academically adventurous spirits, keen insights, and support. Throughout my graduate program, there was not a single conference or professional meeting I attended without hearing horror stories of graduate students at other universities whose committee members refused to allow innovation in dissertation research or formats. I experienced none of that and consider myself fortunate to have worked with them. I am especially grateful to Leslie Bloom for her guidance and thoughtful reading of my work. Leslie is a true mentor and friend. If this research is good, it is largely due to Leslie. I am also grateful to my major professor Jackie Bloimt for her fine example of scholarship and dedication. When I grow up I want to be just like Jackie! My family has remained a constant source of love and support. Their confidence in me helped me develop the courage to pursue this degree. Finally, special thanks to my loving husband and partner, Chris. Without him, this process would not have been nearly so fine, and I would not be nearly so happy.