Considers "what didn't work" in literature-based reading programs. Analyzes messages to teachers in teachers' guides for such programs published between 1990 and 1995. Follows M. Foucault's interpretations of historical, social, and cultural constructions of discourses. Finds the literature-based visions become blurred as the mixed…

This paper contends that the most difficult task facing state policymakers is to understand that the strong feelings on both sides of the reading debate may not be truly reflective of the choices before them--it is not a choice between teaching reading through phonics or whole language. The paper states that a good whole language program must…

This paper explores what a reading teacher might do to guide students to achieve and be successful in reading. The paper first points out that there are selected programs of reading instruction which are individualized for optimal student success, and then discusses some of these programs, such as: individualized reading; the experience chart;…

Describes research projects conducted in a first-grade literature-based reading program; a second-grade fluency-oriented reading instructional program that uses both children's literature and a basal reader; and a second-grade literature/strategy-based program. (RS)

Discusses a reading intervention program called Project Prevent that is based upon the principles of Reading Recovery. Describes the major elements of the program: screening and selection procedures, lesson components, transition, and posttesting. (MG)

Describes a preliminary study of the development and psychometric integrity of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) norms for literature-based reading. Assesses the reading achievement of 403 first through third graders. Results show that CBM procedures can be modified to develop local norms for literature-based instruction. (MKA)

Characterizes the whole language movement in terms of its philosophical, political, and curriculum assumptions and consequences. Also, praises the movement for the good it has done; points out problematic features of the movement; and evaluates the likely legacy of the movement.(BB)

Examines the first-grade materials in five new basal programs submitted for the 1993 Texas state adoption, comparing them with program materials currently in use in the state. Finds substantial changes in the more recent series. Interprets findings in terms of historical trends as well as recent developments in the literature-based and…

This study compared two beginning reading programs, Integrated Reading-Writing (IR-W) and DISTAR in comparable urban schools with students "at risk" for literacy problems. Although the two programs resulted in comparable gains in word recognition and overall reading achievement by the end of first grade, children in IR-W tended to…

Addresses the concerns of first-grade teachers about the implementation of a holistic literature-based reading series. Notes that the teachers in the "conversation group" had not been direct participants in the adoption decision. Suggests that the conversation group enabled the teachers to assimilate change through the sharing of the…

A practicum developed a whole language kindergarten at-home reading program. The target group was 27 sets of parents of children in a kindergarten classroom who volunteered to participate. The objectives were to increase the parents' knowledge of whole language techniques; increase their level of comfort in using whole language techniques at home…

A Cambridge, Massachusetts, alternative public school's basic reading program is a rich combination of whole language and individualized phonics. Other strategies to hook kids on reading include 20-minute recreational reading periods with parent volunteers, a weekly book-bag program, reading buddies, special projects, and community helpers from…

A study was conducted to address the problem of all students not learning to read in the same manner when the instruction was limited to only one approach, that of the basal reader with its phonics emphasis. The Reading Style Inventory, the Swassing-Barbe Modality Index, and the Bradway Quick Check were administered to the students attending the…

A study was conducted to investigate the curricular experiences of the low achievers, including the quality of the programs they participated in and the congruence between their classroom and pullout programs. Three lower-middle-class first graders in the Pacific Northwest participated in the study: John spent the entire day in the classroom;…

The increasing demand for improved student performance in the context of significant time constraints places considerable stress on educators and administrators to develop innovative strategies that promote literacy acquisition. This article describes the procedures and outlines the evaluative data for Reading Their Way, a literacy acquisition…