Standards for literacy in the twenty-first century raise the bar on the complexity of texts and the tasks for which they are used. The strengths and limitations of contemporary approaches to text complexity are discussed with respect to major points raised in the six articles in this special issue. In addition, four features of text that are of…

The purpose of this study was to test the validity of the Fry Readability Graph on an eighth grade social studies textbook. It was found to be a valid measure by using an achievement test, and by comparing between groups of students who should and should not have comprehended the test. For journal availability, see SO 505 690. (Author/JR)

Undergraduate students enrolled in a Principles of Psychology II course were asked to rate selections from introductory psychology texts for reading ease. These student ratings were then compared with the ratings obtained using the Flesch readability formula. Student ratings did not agree very well with the Flesch scores. (RM)

The purpose of the study was to determine the readability level and the level of involvement for selected science textbooks for grades 7-10. A review of related literature concerning readability scales and the Romey Index is included. Thirty secondary science texts were evaluated using the Fry Readability Graph and Romey's Involvement Index. The…

This book is a guide to the evaluation and development of textbooks that focuses on the research on which they are based to the writing of the text. It also explores research into textbook effectiveness and provides an overview of the research in the field. The chapters are: (1) "Respondents' Opinions"; (2) "Evaluation of Textbooks by…

The relationship between content readability measures and mathematics test item difficulty was measured. An attempt was made to use readability to predict item difficulty. Results from the study are noted as somewhat discouraging, with only about 11 percent of the item difficulty variance explained by the selected readability measures. (MP)

Using the Fry Readability approach and a ten percent random sample of all reading materials from each grade level within a program, readability data were collected on six popular elementary science textbook series. Fry readability averages and ranges for the six programs surveyed are reported by grade level. (Author/MK)

A study was conducted to test whether quantitative feedback would help students write with the stylistic simplicity appropriate to their audience and purpose without sacrificing other elements of good writing. Two business and technical writing classes received identical reading assignments, classroom activities, and writing assignments; but one…

Writers and writing teachers should be wary of depending on readability indexes as indicators of the difficulty of written messages. The Gunning Fog Index and the Damerst Clear Index, two readability formulas, were used to determine the readability of "A Statement of Editorial Policy" and two abstracts appearing in an issue of…

Readability formulas have varied uses. In education they are used to match children's reading ability to the difficulty level of material, select stories and books for classroom use and for individual students' particular needs, select textbooks and other reading materials, aid educational research, and check reading materials of newly literate…

Reports on a study which attempted to determine the reading level of 70 filmstrips with captions that form logical sequences. Results indicate that the classroom teacher might want to use readability formulae in planning the use of filmstrips. (Author/SA)