Discusses the definition of readability, the history of readability formulas, writing adult materials to a desired readability level, matching readability levels of material to the reader's skill level, and uses of these concepts in adult education. (CT)

The utility and precision of scaling 200 relatively short reading passages were analyzed using a Rasch-based measurement technique as compared to readability estimates using the Spache or Dale-Chall formulas. In addition, a regression model was specified for predicting the grade level of a text a student could literally comprehend based on…

The major problem investigated was the effectiveness of cloze procedure as a predictor of a student's ability to comprehend social studies materials when compared with I.Q. scores, previous social studies grades, and standardized reading test scores. As a secondary purpose, the effectiveness of rewritten social studies materials as a means of…