This paper describes the experiences of Colorado Springs School District Eleven in using multiple measures to determine if third graders were reading at "grade level." The use of multiple measures may be threatened by the rapidly increasing pressures about assessment and accountability in Colorado that teachers are beginning to feel that…

IBM has advertised huge reading gains for Writing to Read, an expensive computer laboratory program aimed at improving the reading and writing performance of kindergarten and first grade students. However, the evaluations done to date simply do not support the program's effectiveness at improving young children's reading achievement. (MLH)

Intended to develop new approaches to Follow Through services, the research plan described in this document is the first step in a collaborative effort of the National Institute of Education (NIE) and the Follow Through Division of the Department of Education. Prior to the delineation of the preliminary research strategy, background information…

Lists nine criteria for extra-year programs that would satisfy many proponents and opponents of such programs. (BG)

One of several papers commissioned by the National Institute of Education (NIE), this discussion addresses the utility of test-equating studies for large-scale program evaluation and investigates the use of standardized tests in similar evaluation efforts. The discussion begins with an examination of the question, Should standardized achievement…

As a result of the America Reads Challenge Act of 1997, numerous tutoring programs have been established to help ensure that every child reads independently by the end of third grade. This book describes exemplary America Reads programs across the country as well as other effective early literacy interventions, including Reading Recovery, the…

Asserts that the study by Elicker and Mathur, with its commitment to high-quality early childhood education and developmentally appropriate practice, and its understanding of the complex demands on kindergarten curricula, can help educators look closely at their own programs in terms of teaching style and philosophical beliefs. (EV)

In the research paper considered, Stahl and Miller compare the effectiveness of whole language/language experience programs versus basal reader approaches. The article is criticized for its lack of longitudinal data, alternative interpretations, and information concerning the broad goals of whole language approaches. (TJH)

The effectiveness of whole language/language experience programs versus basal reader approaches is considered. The politicization of whole language teaching and the use of the nonbasal approaches in kindergarten versus first grade are the focal themes. (TJH)

Following a discussion of contrasts between developed and developing countries, this paper describes problems encountered by the Universal Primary Education program, a project in Nigeria designed to promote literacy and eradicate superstititon and ignorance. Specifically, the following problems are described in the light of rural, traditional…

Examines a model for measuring children's verbal interactions in small heterogeneous or homogeneous cooperative groups using computers. Considers research design, type of task, and data collection and analysis. Concludes that a model incorporating cognitively oriented and socially oriented talk will expand understanding of the nature of children's…

In the research paper considered, Stahl and Miller compare the effectiveness of whole language/language experience programs versus basal reader approaches. The article is criticized for misrepresenting concepts related to emergent literacy and inadequately defining whole language, the lack of equivalence between the two nonbasal approaches, and…

Describes a plan for improving students' writing skills which was developed in a school for kindergarten through third grade students, and which incorporated parent participation and "publication" of student writing. (JC)

The three chapters included in this paper establish a basis for organizing future implementations of Project Follow Through. Specifically, chapter 1 identifies four planning objectives for coordinating such programs. Emphasis is given to the need to focus on one fundamental, pervasive variable possibly accounting for program success: time…