Discusses the outlier paradigm, then (1) reviews some major studies in reading program effectiveness at the elementary school level that have followed the paradigm (2) synthesizes findings from these studies into what they suggest are the key elements of effective reading programs (3) offers some critical commentary on the studies in question and…

This paper provides an overview of Houghton Mifflin's Invitations to Literacy, a commercially published, integrated reading/language arts program for use in K-6 classrooms. The program provides instructional resources that seek to: build on the foundation that students bring to school and foster home-school cooperation; hold all students to the…

This paper reviews the literature and research on literature-based reading programs (as an alternative to basal reading instruction) that have proven successful and identifies key elements of such programs. The first part of the paper contains an introduction, a statement of the problem, the significance of the problem, a description of the…

Describes a reading program based on Piagetian theory and a psycholinguistic interpretation of the reading process. Explains each component of the program and offers evaluative data attesting to its success. (FL)

This paper provides an overview of the Academy of Reading program (by AutoSkill International, Inc.), a comprehensive reading remediation tool designed to complement curriculum for grades K-12. It notes the computer-based approach is designed to help underachieving readers get the skills they need to become proficient, and the product includes…

Looks at developments in adult reading over the past two decades, concentrating on the training of teachers, testing and evaluation, and program evaluation methods. Concludes that while adult reading has made substantial progress, it is still not a mature field. (FL)

This paper provides an overview of Houghton Mifflin's Soar to Success, a commercially published intervention program designed to accelerate reading growth for students reading below grade level in grade 3 and above. Soar to Success uses fast-paced, structured lessons focusing on comprehension and decoding strategies, is intended for use with small…

This paper provides an overview of Breakthrough to Literacy, a research-based early literacy program that combines interactive software, quality print materials, take-home materials and staff development to provide individualized reading instruction for students. It uses technology to help children understand the relationship between sound, print,…

This paper provides an overview of Helping One Student To Succeed (HOSTS), a language arts program that uses one-on-one mentoring to help low-achieving students improve reading and problem-solving skills. Goals of the program include improving academic achievement in reading; building student problem-solving skills; and improving student behavior,…

Noting that the popular press and other media have purveyed much information and misinformation about the status of adult literacy in the United States, this paper focuses upon what is known about literacy levels and gives special attention to changes in literacy demands and to what is currently being done to meet those demands. The first section…

This monograph is the first in a series of semiannual reports focusing on research related to reading in secondary schools. The first section includes three reviews of literature specifically related to word analysis instruction for adolescents and to reading programs that have been examined from a research perspective. Of the two papers in the…

This paper provides an overview of SuccessMaker, a computer-based reading program that uses literature-based activities to focus on comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, and writing. Intended for use with students in prekindergarten through grade 8, the curriculum challenges students to apply knowledge from literature, content-area reading and…

This paper provides an overview of the Voyager Expanded Learning programs. Initially begun with hands-on, activity-based learning experiences centered around academic themes designed to pique children's interest and motivate them to learn, Voyager has expanded from elementary after- and summer-school programs to include K-8 programs designed for…

This paper provides an overview of Accelerated Reader, a system of computerized testing and record-keeping that supplements the regular classroom reading program. Accelerated Reader's primary goal is to increase literature-based reading practice. The program offers a computer-aided reading comprehension and management program intended to motivate…

Consituting the first full treatment of computers in reading, this volume focuses on recent developments in computer assisted instruction and its classroom implications. The eight chapters provide information on the following topics: the development of digital computers and of programs for using them for educational purposes, college centers…