The Accelerated Reader (AR) program enables free-standing computer-assisted assessment of comprehension of "real books." It is a curriculum-based assessment that summarizes and analyzes results to enable teachers to monitor both the quantity and quality of reading practice engaged in by the student. It is voluntarily self administered by…

Describes experimental 2-year pilot project conducted at 21 randomly selected community libraries in Los Angeles County Public Library system to test feasibility and measure results of a children's services proposal. The proposed year-round reading program is designed to meet needs of changing academic programs in schools and changing juvenile…

Reports on four low-income families enrolled in a summer family literacy pilot program. Describes how all of the families used literacy for meaningful purposes. Notes that the purposes and degrees of literacy used differed in connection with the social-contextual factors in their lives. (SR)

The "9 to 90" Saturday Reading Program sponsored by the Fullerton (California) College Department of Community Services offers individualized reading improvement in hourly sections on Saturday mornings to anyone from ages nine to ninety. Groups of nine to fifteen students meet each hour with teaching teams of three instructors. The groups are…