Reviews the controversy over a biological basis for developmental dyslexia and illustrates it with two case studies of junior high school students. Reviews neurological evidence for developmental dyslexia, and proposes seven signs characteristic of reading disability that may qualify as dyslexia. (SR)

Finds that, in a multicomponent, computer-supported study environment, students using the computer study tools demonstrated a substantial performance advantage; however, they limited their activities almost exclusively to reviewing multiple-choice questions, and tended to be students with higher grade point averages who were prone to use…

Argues that informal reading inventories (IRI) and the cloze procedure may provide inaccurate information and inhibit the progress of poor readers. Examines the concept of frustration level in both IRI and cloze testing. Posits that, in attempting to avoid frustrating students, educators fail to provide students with sufficient challenges.…

Finds that hypermedia computer study guides were as effective as teacher-presented lectures, especially at the high school level with remedial students and students with learning disabilities. Corroborates the effectiveness of hypermedia study materials with poor readers at the elementary school level. (SR)

Informs practitioners working with struggling readers of the latest research on home influences on reading motivation. Provides research-based suggestions to teachers as to how they might enlist the assistance of parents in motivating struggling readers. Shows that supportive home environments foster motivation for reading, which leads to more…

Administers the Qualitative Reading Inventory-II and the reading subtests of the Woodcock Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery-Revised to 34 fourth-grade males reading at or below the 25th percentile on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Considers the different results obtained by each test. Discusses implications for placing poor readers in…

Provides a rationale for and describes the use of computer-based outlining programs as tools for studying material in content area textbooks. Describes its implementation in two high school global studies classes, focusing on students performing in the lower third of each class. (SR)

Examines developmental stages of reading from preschool to secondary school. Discusses cognitive requirements of various stages of reading and identifies possible sources of difficulty. Presents several case vignettes to illustrate common patterns of reading disabilities and their behavioral manifestations. Offers specific suggestions for…

Summarizes findings about repeated reading since the 1970s and details the most recent findings. Argues that, because of strong evidence of the effectiveness of repeated reading, the many facets of this procedure should be integrated into the fabric of daily literacy instruction. Offers specific suggestions for applications including applications…

Defines "electronic books," and shares examples of prior research on the use of such environments to improve the reading fluency and comprehension of students with reading difficulties. Presents a taxonomy of the types of supportive resources that have emerged from efforts to design and research the use of electronic books, and presents…

Notes that at-risk readers often have narrow notions about reading processes and their roles as readers. Discusses research related to at-risk readers' comprehension strategies. Suggests that several aspects of typical reading instruction contribute to at-risk readers' views. Offers suggestions for evaluating aspects of classroom environment and…

Presents a case study of a nine-year-old boy's reading and writing difficulties. Notes that instruction grounded in sociopsycholinguistics, whole language, and emergent literacy helped the learner overcome his difficulties. Provides an account of alternative approaches in assessing written language difficulties; and the role of the reader's belief…