Because gifted readers have instructional needs that vary greatly from the norm, curriculum planners and teachers should make plans for the gifted that are different from those for other pupils. An instructional program for gifted readers should (1) have a strong content and value emphasis, (2) group students so as to allow the gifted to relate in…

This paper argues that to be successful, a reading program must incorporate a synthesis from Robinson and Rauch (1965) which states that a reading program should be planned cooperatively by the total school community; integrate the language arts with all subject areas; plan for continuity of reading interests, achievement, and development; provide…

Studies by the Exemplary Center for Reading Instruction and others reveal that teacher characteristics account for beginning readers' performance more than do program characteristics. To be most successful in acquiring reading skills, pupils need teachers who provide enough time for practice in skills, who can prompt (model, demonstrate) the…

Educators, recognizing the role of the home in preparing a child for reading and in fostering reading growth, have organized outreach programs to systematically utilize home influence. However, thoughtful planning is needed if these programs are to make the most of family involvement. Consideration of who, what, when, where, and how provides a…

This paper gives college reading instructors a four-part prescription to ensure the continued success of their college reading programs: Dispel the myth of remediation that separates college reading programs from traditional academic departments. Define and articulate a philosophy for reading instruction at the college level. Expand college…

The third of eight related documents, this booklet is part of a series of papers presented at the 1978 National Right to Read Conference examining issues and problems in literacy. In its examination of the relationship between literacy and career development, the booklet first defines the components of basic literacy and of career development and…

A secondary school reading program initiated at Manhattan (Kansas) High School and involving the efforts of teachers, students, administrators, members of the board of education, and faculty members of Kansas State University is described in this paper. The first section of the paper provides background information about the program, which…

Project IRIS (Improving Reading Instruction School-Wide) is one school district's effort to improve reading instruction. The project's first three years have produced median reading gains of one year or more per student per year. Although the most important aspect of Project IRIS is school-wide commitment to improving reading instruction, other…

A strategy for decision making in the design of reading instruction is suggested in this paper. Decision categories, or "junctures," are anticipated, and a set of principles is developed as a guide to selection and sequencing of program tactics. Included in the discussion is an analysis of the problems inherent in decision making, an examination…

College reading programs have not only increased in number, but their nature and scope have also changed. There has been a change toward programs that are concerned with improvement of reading in the content areas, and, broadly, with the improvement of learning in college. But at the same time, there appears to be a great variety in college…

Noting the importance of a relaxed atmosphere, the availability of all kinds of reading materials, and an unpressured, out-in-the-open approach to measuring student progress, this paper describes the activities and resources that constitute a successful high school reading program. The discussion focuses on the types of books, diagnosis,…

Intended for instructors and administrators setting up a college reading and study skills program, this paper presents eight issues that should be carefully considered when developing a program structure that will suit the needs and framework of each institution. Discussions, resolutions, and rationale are provided for the following issues: (1)…

This paper offers many specific suggestions for improving community college reading instruction through counseling and content. Such topics are discussed as reading and writing laboratories; multimedia instruction; group instruction classes in basic reading skills, vocabulary and study skills, and analytical and critical reading; individualized…

The reading program developed at Niagara University in New York has undergone a number of changes in response to long term evaluation. In the early 1970s, the only program evaluation tools used were pretests and posttests. These were misleading, as they measured only short term gains, not retention after completion of the course. Based on ideas…

An evaluation of the Learning Resource Center, a Title I diagnostic/prescriptive learning program designed to provide help for students with extreme learning difficulties in 26 nonpublic schools, is discussed in this paper. The first part of the paper is a synopsis of the program evaluation, including a summary of findings and subsequent…