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…

Examines biographies presented in five of the most popular basal reading series. Finds that the great majority of the biographical selections appeared in only one series. Concludes that there is no core of agreement about who receives biographical coverage in basals. (RS)

This study examined whether post-reading comprehension would be affected by the inclusion of pictorial material with a story and a prereading prediction questionnaire. Subjects, 75 heterogeneously grouped fourth grade students randomly assigned to one of three groups, either (1) read a basal reader passage with pictorial material; or (2) read the…

Reports on a study that examined children's understanding of written direct and indirect speech by testing reading comprehension of two passages using cloze tests and referent location tests. Found that children have difficulty in interpreting written direct speech, especially when it contains a variety of pronouns. (ARH)

Presents a brief outline ofthe evolution of the basal reader and notes the predominant role it p plays in today's reading instruction. Comments on the impact reading research has had and is likely to have on the basal reading program in the future. Includes a pro-reaction and a con-reaction paper. Bibliography

Presents a study whose results show that the writing of children contains features of their reading texts. (JL)

Takes issue with E. Fry's widely accepted claim that the average readability of a book is ascertainable on the basis of only three samples; reports that numerous samples were needed to estimate readability means of 36 basal workbooks. (MKM)

Uses content analysis and a descriptive technique to describe the attributes of the most prominent workbook items found in the workbooks of four basal reading series. (SR)

A study described first-grade teachers' beliefs and practices about reading instruction. Drawing from interview and observational data, 16 teachers from 4 districts in south-central Texas were placed on a continuum from skills-based to literature-based in relationship to their use of the basal. Only 2 teachers were found to rely solely on the…

A study evaluated the assertion that basal reading programs limit or control teachers' instructional decision making through a process referred to as "deskilling" by surveying elementary educators regarding their use of and opinions about basal reading programs. Responses from 553 of 1,000 randomly sampled International Reading…

A study investigated differences in reading achievement of students taught with a whole language philosophy compared to students taught using a basal textbook. Subjects, 20 second grade students taught using a whole language philosophy and 17 second grade students in the same school using basal textbooks, were given pre- and posttests to determine…

Reviews Laura Zirbes' long career with particular emphasis on her theories of progressive reading instruction. Suggests that she is a neglected but important figure in modern education. Examines the implications of Zirbes' work for contemporary progressive education. (DR)

Reports on an examination of intermediate level basal readers in eight series, concluding that they reflect reasonably well the interests of intermediate children. (DD)

Indexes 68 reading series or supplementary reading materials by 29 publishing companies and indicates which of them are at the same readability level. (DD)

Investigates the effects of a classroom reading program in which students who passed pretests on basal skills were excused from subsequent instruction and practice on those skills. Finds that most students were able to pass pretests on reading skills before the skills were covered in the basal reading program. (RS)