"Setting the Foundation: A Report on Elementary Grades Reading in Tennessee" (ED572952) provides insight into the challenges associated with early grades reading in Tennessee, along with a set of recommendations for building more readers across the state. This appendix provides detailed information about reading programs in Tennessee…

When schools and teachers adopt core reading programs they can use them with fidelity or make intelligent decisions about the texts, lessons and components they select to use. The evidence suggests that these programs are not research-based documents, but rather compromises between what the research suggests about effective reading instruction and…

It is the goal of this book to provide unique and helpful information to reading and curriculum specialists who are looking for ways to improve the silent reading proficiency of their students. While the background information is, at times, technical, the recommendations as to the skill areas that require improvement as well as the computer…

Commonalities and variations across basal reading programs are discussed. The major physical and instructional components are described, including instructional materials, teachers' guides, and management systems. It is asserted that familiarity with basal programs is useful for the school psychologist. Procedures are suggested for acquiring…

Describes how the district committee of the West Des Moines Schools (Iowa) changed its reading program. Explains how the role of a basal was redefined, how trade books were incorporated, how the program encouraged independent reading, and how writing was given a major role in reading class. (JK)

Describes how published basal reading programs can be adapted to provide guided reading instruction in K-2 classrooms where large numbers of books are not available but basal stories are accessible. Describes and presents results from a project to assign levels of difficulty to stories in five nationally published basal reading programs. (SR)

Describes an experience based reading program developed in Melbourne, Australia, for low-income and immigrant children and a series of books to be published which are based on this program. (MKM)

A study investigated how the beliefs of literacy scholars affect the development of basal reading programs, the roles literacy scholars play in the development of new reading programs, and some of the critical factors that affect the disposition of innovative ideas. Two literacy scholars who had actively collaborated on the development of separate…

Describes the rationale, problems, and successes of a literature-based reading program. (FL)

As more and more reading programs make the move from the basal reading series to authentic text, teachers are asking the same question: How do I choose appropriate books for my class? Teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing are no exception. In this article, the author describes her use of Dr. Seuss books in early reading instruction.

In describing the K-12 reading program in the North Bend (Oregon) School District, this report presents a brief history of the program, discusses key aspects, and lists the program's standards. The program history covers its start in 1974, the effect of an earlier Right to Read campaign, and the district's adoption of the Macmillan basal reading…

The faculty of a middle school has constructed a model of a reading program, using components of other programs at other grade levels. The elements of the model include basal reading, teaching reading in the content areas, and individualized reading. The strengths of these components depend on teachers' understanding of learning theory and…

The creation of a new reading program at a New Jersey elementary school can provide administrators with a lesson in trying to make major changes in schools. A reading specialist presented research from the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicating the need for a different approach to reading instruction, as shown by reduced reading…

This paper reports the results of a two-year project designed to reorganize basal reading instruction to stress fluent reading and automatic word recognition. The reorganized reading program had three components: a redesigned basal reading lesson that included repeated reading and partner reading, a choice reading period during the day, and a home…

In the past, phonics instruction has done little to lessen the difficulties that many poor readers have with decoding words quickly and accurately enough to construct meaning from text. Based on an analysis of the research literature in decoding and a four-year cycle of program development, a new program was created for teaching decoding to poor…