Presents excerpts from "Becoming a Nation of Readers," a recent publication that synthesizes current knowledge regarding the process of learning to read. (GC)

The teachers should avoid ineffective practices that promote disengagement in order to increase adolescents' comprehension skills. A schoolwide literacy plan and strong leadership can bring real changes in literacy teaching and learning.

Reports on intervention efforts to improve reading among 14 children (8-12 years of age) with major levels of reading retardation. Found a direct instruction program to be more effective than diagnostic-prescriptive remediation. (GC)

Reviews recent theoretical advances in understanding orthographic codes and their relationship to phonological codes in reading acquisition. Discusses different ways in which orthographic skills have been conceptualized. Explores methodological issues in measuring orthographic skills. Stresses importance of multiple orthographic and oral language…

Intended to help reading educators keep their teaching practices and goals up to date, this booklet examines current reading instruction and assesses the state of reading research and trends. Following a brief discussion of the meaning of reading and literacy, a section on the status of reading discusses how well children read today and whether…

Examines how children with special needs can best be identified and categorized without "labeling" them and discusses proven procedures or strategies for use with children who need special or diverse reading instruction. (GC)

Discusses techniques to use with adult beginning readers in the areas of (1) assessment (i.e., interviewing, voice pointing); (2) discussion (i.e., explaining approaches, incorporating interests); and (3) instruction (i.e., assisted reading, progress tracking). (CH)

In this article, the authors explore the concept of instructional scaffolding as it applies to facilitating students' reading comprehension. They argue that scaffolding is a highly flexible and adaptable model of instruction that supports students as they acquire both basic skills and higher order thinking processes, allows for explicit…

This article reports some cautions to consider when too much emphasis is placed on phonic instruction, especially with adolescent and adult learners. The importance of developing automaticity in word identification and fluency in reading rate is discussed. Six specific procedures designed to improve reading fluency are outlined. (Author/CT)

Three holistic approaches to reading comprehension instruction for learning-disabled children are described: text-based instruction, explicit comprehension instruction, and a combined model. Following discussion of each model's strengths, weaknesses, and teaching techniques, the combined model is recommended. (Author/JDD)

The authors examined the views of parents and teachers regarding beginning reading instruction using the questionnaire Approaches to Beginning Reading and Reading Instruction (ABRRI). Parents also rated the importance of 9 developmental areas, including literacy, and the extent to which home and school were responsible for each. Two components…

Shows that proper usage and understanding of Black English vernacular among teachers helps to create positive self-image in Black students and aids these students in learning to read. (DA)

Highlights the benefits of a multisensory, hands-on, learning center approach to teaching phonics. Presents specific aspects of the teaching method, accompanied by a parent component, which details steps parents can take to participate in their child's education and reinforce their children's classroom experience. (SD)

How do teachers respond to the competing pressures of school accountability, high-stakes testing, classroom assessment and instruction? This updated collection of articles from The Reading Teacher can help. Readers will find tools for: (1) Building school assessment policies; (2) Helping students succeed on high-stakes tests; (3) Using assessment…

The reading program of the future will have a form and function which is distinctive. It will have the shape and operations peculiar to the total context in which each teacher has to work. Generating meaning will be the primary focus of all language activities. Print will be introduced naturally and continuously used throughout all developmental…