Presents the issues in the cultural literacy debate as exemplified in an illuminating set of articles exchanged by E. D. Hirsch and John Warnock. (JD)

Surveys research on the effects of visual material on student comprehension and describes a strategy that uses pictures to teach the main idea. (AEA)

Argues that writing promotes engagement with a text, leading to better comprehension, and that writing tasks should vary depending on the nature of the reading task. (RAE)

Discusses the relationship between vocabulary and reading comprehension. Cites recent research supporting the utility of both direct and indirect vocabulary instruction. (MM)

Reviews recent ERIC materials on comprehension monitoring. (FL)

Discusses issues in reading assessment, including the concern that tests can not measure the reading process. Concludes that tests will never be more than useful indicators; calls for more research and examination of existing and new types of reading comprehension tests. (MM)

Focuses on the role of pictures in books used for reading instruction to determine how they are used, how their content has changed over the years, and how pictures affect reading comprehension. (FL)

Discusses instructional approaches to content area reading that are described in ERIC documents. Among the areas discussed are prereading activities; strategies to support comprehension as students read; an integrated approach to vocabulary, comprehension, and textbook organization; and kits of materials for integrating reading skills into content…

Provides a 17-item annotated bibliography addressing issues of measures of readability for languages other than English, the mismatch between student reading ability and text readability, and promising new approaches to readability. (MG)

Describes documents in the ERIC data base that review research on schemata and reading comprehension and discuss the implications of using the schemata paradigm in educational research and practice. (MKM)

Reviews recent research on eye movements and skilled silent reading and notes the new emphasis on providing insight into the comprehension process. (MKM)

Reviews the recent research which (1) explores the ability of college students to monitor their comprehension; and (2) determines the factors which influence comprehension monitoring. (MG)

Presents annotations of 15 documents in the ERIC database concerning reports on research findings that highlight practices and procedures that "work" in reading and literacy education. (RS)

Based on the best available research, this publication describes the most effective methods of vocabulary instruction for the improvement of reading comprehension. Examples of useful approaches to vocabulary instruction aimed at students past the initial stages of reading are presented for use or adaptation by classroom teachers. The publication's…

Despite a significant increase in test usage, numerous issues surrounding reading assessment remain unresolved. Construct validity--whether the test actually measures aspects of the behavior under consideration--is of particular importance if one is to rely on test scores to direct instruction, predict performance, or determine accountability. A…