This guide for district and school leaders shows how to recognize opportunities to embed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) into planned policies or programs. Opportunistic RCTs can generate strong evidence for informing education decisions--with minimal added cost and disruption. The guide also outlines the key steps to conduct RCTs and responds…

Libraries need to reach out to teens and enhance their skills in serving the teenage population. Through the Louisiana Young Adult Services program, it is hoped that all staff working with young adults will be reached to accomplish the following: (1) promote a better understanding of the psychology of this age group; (2) increase skills in…

This manual contains information on understanding the nature of young adults and developing a young adult service philosophy for a library. Ideas are provided for programs, activities, and workshops; and ready-to-use book talks and publicity materials are included, along with bibliographies for young adult collection development. The introductory…

Offers guidelines in such areas as reading readiness, use of tests, organizational patterns, and the goals of reading instruction, as well as counseling principals on what they can do personally to improve a school's reading program. (IRT)

Provides the administrator with guidelines for use in evaluating teachers' implementations of basal reader programs. (HOD)

Offers an answer from Marie Clay and Barbara Watson concerning training for the Reading Recovery program. Provides a list of training sites available for interested readers. (MG)

Teachers and supervisors need to provide quality experiences in reading for each learner. School systems can appraise the effectiveness of their present reading curricula in a variety of ways. The following issues are involved in evaluating the reading curriculum: (1) objective selection; (2) objective sequencing; and (3) appraisal procedures to…

Examines the issue of problem solving and reasoning in relationship to reading. Claims that reading programs are effective vehicles for enhancing reasoning skills. Explores how reading programs can develop higher order thinking, and considers a way to present stories which uncovers the reasoning process through a problem-solution framework. (MM)

In years past, Maryland has provided little guidance toward adoption and implementation of Scientifically Based Reading Research (SBRR) programs. Only recently, with the implementation of the Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration program and the Reading Excellence Act (REA) program, have schools or local education agencies been required to…

Anyone who has worked as a teacher or principal in an elementary school understands the value of reliable and valid assessments of early reading progress. In order to implement an effective reading program, schools should have a coordinated plan for using screening, progress monitoring, diagnostics and outcome measures to guide instruction and to…

In this manual, project directors of the Intensive Reading Instructional Teams (IRIT) program in Hartford, Connecticut, public schools, are provided with suggestions for evaluating compensatory programs such as the IRIT. Three models for basic Title I evaluation are discussed and compared: a norm-referenced model, a control group design, and a…

Describes the Metacomprehension Strategy Index, a multiple-choice questionnaire, and its supporting validity and reliability data. Discusses how teachers can use and interpret this information to evaluate middle and upper elementary students' knowledge of strategic reading processes. (MG)

In this practitioners' guide, a recognized reading expert explains how educators, parents, and concerned citizens can spot ineffective reading programs that may hide under the "scientifically-based" banner. Although the term "whole language" is not commonly used today, programs based on its premises remain popular. These…

In this paper, I describe characteristics of programs developed for adolescents who are struggling with literacy. The paper references both a chart I developed to compare and contrast those characteristics and a review guide I created to help schools make principled decisions when choosing programs for use with their students. The chart and the…

This guide is an evaluation that can help one answer relevant questions about improving a reading or language arts program such as: Are there changes that need to be made? Is a stronger commitment needed to strengths identified in the program? and Are specific resources needed to make it more successful? The manual points out that if an improved…