Contemporary nonfiction for young people plays a crucial role in the reading and writing lives of K-12 students. It is a rich and compelling genre that supports students' development as critically, visually, and informationally literate 21st century thinkers and creators. Unlike many textbooks and materials written for online or print-based school…

This article reviews Margaret Meek Spencer's body of work in relation to the various policies that she critiqued from the Bullock Report in 1974 to the National Literacy Strategy in 2004. She analysed increasingly conservative moves to promote a dominant, elitist version of school literacy. A Critical Realist perspective aligns with Margaret Meek…

This yearlong quasi experimental study examined the effects of two approaches to guided reading on second-grade students' reading abilities. The 79 subjects were chosen as a nonprobability sample and served as the treatment and comparison groups. The groups were pre- and post tested using the Developmental Reading Assessment, Second Edition…

The present evaluation study sought to determine how LightSail is implemented within schools in three public school districts, Evergreen Public Schools (EPS), Denver Public Schools (DPS), and Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Case studies conducted in a subsample of schools within the three districts included classroom observations,…

The Teacher & Principal School Report series showcases the results of a national survey of more than 4,700 public school Pre-K-12 educators on critical issues affecting schools and districts across the country. With two in-depth reports, Scholastic has explored equity in education as well as literacy, each with a special look at factors from…

"READ 180®" is a reading program designed for struggling readers who are reading 2 or more years below grade level. It combines online and direct instruction, student assessment, and teacher professional development. "READ 180®" is delivered in 90-minute sessions that include whole-group instruction, three small-group…

Teachers recognize that frequent independent reading increases student knowledge on a wide range of topics, enhances vocabulary, and improves comprehension. "Ban the Book Report" inspires teachers to go beyond narrow and analytical book reports by exploring the potential of book talks, alternate book covers, identifying features of informational…

"READ 180"[R] is a reading program designed for students in grades 3-12 whose reading achievement is below the proficient level. "READ 180"[R] aims to address gaps in individual student's skills through 90-minute sessions, during which students receive several different types of instruction. These sessions can be completed in…

"Accelerated Reader"[TM] is a guided reading intervention used to supplement regular reading instruction in K-12 classrooms. Its aim is to improve students' reading skills through reading practice and quizzes on the books students read. The "Accelerated Reader"[TM] program calls for students to select and read a book and then…

Notes that California undertook a new commitment to improve the basic reading skills of its elementary students; lists several components of this commitment, the "California Reading Initiative." Describes the state's definition of a balanced and comprehensive approach to reading. Argues that independent reading is a crucial component and…

The New England Consortium criteria of excellence are 26 statements of conditions which describe a quality reading program and which must exist if all children are to learn to read. These statements are grouped under five goal areas, the fifth of which, fostering reading interests, is treated in this position paper. The paper supports attainment…

Schoolwide independent reading can have a positive effect on students' reading habits, and principals can be major supporters of successful reading programs. Principals can: (1) provide worthwhile staff development; (2) suggest using independent reading to promote creative reading; (3) be ambitious about promoting independent reading; yet (4) be…

Describes three key developmental reading strategies that content-area teachers can implement in their classrooms: Collect real books and other content-rich materials, read aloud to students, and provide time for independent reading. (PKP)

Maintains that one of the most important contributions a principal can make to remedial and at-risk students is to support independent reading. Discusses curricular congruence and the use of sustained silent reading, paired repeated reading, maintenance of reading levels, reading recovery, and paired reading for prevention as well as remediation.…

A study determined whether students with an average interest in reading would become more interested in reading if they used interactive fiction computer games involving a quest or solving a problem in conjunction with required reading. Eight students in grades five through eight participated in a workshop that met 3 hours a day, 4 days a week,…