What little research has been done with regard to secondary level remedial reading programs suggests that a whole language approach is beneficial. (DD)

In the impress method, the teacher sits behind the student, reads a selection of material, and points to each word as s/he reads it. The student repeats what the teacher says and follows the teacher's finger. The objective is to cover as much material as possible at a normal pace. Comprehension is not required. Research studies are reviewed. (JN)

A procedure called "contrast training" is described as a method to overcome the generalization problem by contrasting sentences so that young language handicapped learners can learn to recognize which parts of a sentence occur regardless of the presence or absence of the target form. (Author/SW)

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…

Applies Aristotelian rhetorical theory to the treatment of basic writing problems, noting that classical methods of teaching are still valid--and sometimes used--today. (RL)

Remediation is the most common policy designed to prepare students academically and socially during their early stages of college. But despite its profound importance and its significant costs, there is very little rigorous research analyzing its effectiveness. The goal of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for evaluation of remedial…

Present research on reading failure has not been able to determine whether it results from a single unitary deficit or from multiple causations. Diagnosis of reading failure is not a simple appraisal of a student's reading skills and abilities; rather, it is therapeutic in nature, always seeking to formulate more efficient means of improving…

The third part of a 10-part series, this report was compiled by the Educational Development Center at Wilkes College. The series deals with various aspects of the treatment of delinquents and is intended as a summary of research findings in each of the areas treated. Each report was prepared by a scholar-practitioner and is presented in a way that…

The "Phonic Remedial Reading Lessons" is a systematic, comprehensive phonics program designed for reading-disabled children. The 77 lessons teach about single letters and single sounds, two-letter sounds, consonant blends, graphemes, exceptions to configurations, and word building. The program's underlying strategies and other…

Examines the evidence for and against three major approaches to the teaching of specific reading disabled children: the process approaches, the specialist methods, and the modality/treatment interaction methods. Concludes that all differ in terms of their assumptions and consequent remediation, and all have a number of associated difficulties.…

Offers seven suggestions academic assistance professionals can adopt in order to evaluate strategic models, such as study strategy courses or paired courses. Reports that a 1997 study found that only 25% of four-year institutions complete ongoing and systematic evaluation of their academic assistance programs. (Contains 32 references.) (NB)

Discusses: (1) educational changes that have led to a national decline in literacy; (2) a college philosophy course in which students are trained to write philosophical essays; (3) ways to integrate reading and writing skills into the teaching of a discipline; and (4) college level mini-courses in reading and writing skills that supplement classes…

Following a literature review on the subjects of the decline in student writing abilities and increased student writing apprehension, this paper offers teachers information on a basic writing program that reduces writing anxiety and improves writing skills through large doses of positive reinforcement. The second section of the paper discusses the…

These five serial issues focus on the outcomes of developmental education. Featured are the following articles: (1) "Developmental Instruction: What Really Makes a Difference?" by Hunter R. Boylan, which reviews several research-based models or theories of learning, including the Carroll model, the Bloom model, and the Bruner model, and discusses…

Supports the use of the applied linguistics technique of error analysis (i.e., charting and analyzing patterns in language errors) in developmental writing instruction. Argues that error enables teachers to diagnose the cognitive strategies and processes used by students in writing. Discusses teaching strategies and the approach's limitations.…