The Office of Early Literacy-Reading Coach Program was established in 2002 as part of the Governor’s Literacy Initiative by the New Jersey Department of Education to implement the findings of the state's Early Literacy Task Force Report. This report, issued by a team of literacy experts from higher education, school administrators and teachers, called for the provision of "Reading Coaches to build instructional support in school districts and classrooms that demonstrate the need for additional help." The report further recommended that "Reading Coaches maintain sustained contact with teachers as they practice and refine their teaching practices around research-based best practices as defined by this task force." Additionally, it provides direction for ongoing efforts to improve literacy instruction for students in grades K-3.

Reading Coaches provide school-based, ongoing professional development linked directly to teachers’ efforts to implement new or revised research-based literacy strategies within the classroom. Reading Coaches and teachers work together to analyze student assessment data in order to select the strategies that will enhance their students’ performance. Coaching techniques such as demonstration lessons, collaborative lessons, workshops, constructive feedback and study groups are utilized. In addition to working with individual teachers, Reading Coaches assist schools with building professional relationships that cause the entire school community to share the responsibility for the literacy achievement of all students. Collaboration around literacy-related issues creates a shared vision that fosters a community of learners who support each other in their collective and individual learning. Implementation of the Early Literacy Task Force findings via the Reading Coach Program has played a pivotal role in advancing the professional growth of educators, and, in turn, the quality of educational opportunities for students.