A project was designed to help mainstream teachers in Grades 1-3 facilitate language learning in all students, but especially in those who have language disorders. A naturalistic study followed teachers participating in the project to examine what factors promote change in teachers' knowledge, beliefs, and practice. The overall approach to…

This summary reports on a research project that looked at the relationship of whole language instruction to adult basic education (ABE) learning. It begins with the background of the three research projects. This section discusses the staff development program that enabled teachers to understand whole language, its principles, and its strategies…

Preservice teachers often have knowledge of the latest and best educational practice and need opportunities to apply theory in a "real world" setting through optimal field placements. A review of the literature on the relationship of the preservice teacher and the cooperating teacher revealed that while serving as a cooperating teacher…

It is argued that a reformulation of reading and writing in the elementary grades can integrate the following three buzzwords of American education: (1) students at-risk for school failure; (2) the whole-language movement; and (3) restructuring. Critical literacy can serve as the centerpiece for empowering teachers and administrators as…