Improving Vocabulary Outcomes in Inclusive Secondary Science Classrooms through Professional Development

Secondary students with learning disabilities are likely to learn science in an inclusive classroom. Their success often depends on teachers’ ability to support their literacy needs. In this quasi-experimental study, we examine the effect of teacher’ involvement in intensive professional development designed to deepen secondary science teachers’ knowledge of evidence-based morphological awareness practices and implementation of evidence-based morphological awareness instruction, and to improve students’ science vocabulary knowledge. Teachers (n = 6) increased their knowledge of evidence-based morphological awareness practices and use of evidence-based morphological awareness instruction. Furthermore, their students’ (n = 55) knowledge of science vocabulary improved. We provide recommendations for future research, and discuss implications for the way districts and teacher educators design professional development and for improving the accessibility of science content.