While policymakers have demonstrated considerable enthusiasm for "science of reading" initiatives, the evidence on the impact of related reforms when implemented at scale is limited. In this pre-registered, quasi-experimental study, we examine California's recent initiative to improve early literacy across the state's lowest-performing…

Improvements in students' learning achievement have lagged behind in low-and middle-income countries despite significant progress in school enrollment numbers. Large-scale early grade reading assessments (e.g., "Annual Status of Education Report" [ASER], 2013; EdData II, n.d.) have shown low reading rates and worryingly high…

We know more now than we ever did before about how to make every child a successful reader, write Allington and Gabriel in this research review. Yet, few students regularly receive the best reading instruction we know how to give. The authors present research supporting their recommendation that every child, every day, should (1) read something he…

This Research Connections column describes the background to and the research base for the San Diego Unified School Districts' federally funded Striving Readers Project. The curriculum for the project was developed out of a longitudinal study into the literacy experiences of secondary students in New Zealand and from exploratory work in San Diego…

Premier League Reading Stars (PLRS) is in its eighth year. To complement a pre-post quantitative survey, an impact evidence base was required to inform consideration of continued funding into 2011 and beyond. PLRS is very highly regarded among child participants, parents, and librarians. The structure of the scheme, its basis on football, and the…

This article systematically reviews research on the achievement outcomes of four types of approaches to improving the reading success of children in the elementary grades: reading curricula, instructional technology, instructional process programs, and combinations of curricula and instructional process. Study inclusion criteria included use of…

This report presents early findings from the Enhanced Reading Opportunities (ERO) study--a demonstration and rigorous evaluation of two supplemental literacy programs that aim to improve the reading comprehension skills and school performance of struggling ninth-grade readers. focuses on the first of two cohorts of ninth-grade students who will…

Describes a survey which sought to determine and analyze the status, current practices, and philosophies of existing college reading improvement programs in West Virginia. (JM)

Replies to an article in this issue that responded to an earlier article ("On Balanced Reading") by this author. Argues that Welna's unbalanced coverage of research and critique is the very fuel that continues the Reading Wars. Argues that a study of past and present research can lead the profession to common ground. (SR)

As the number of learning support assistants (also referred to as classroom assistants, teaching aides, auxiliary support and paraeducators) employed in the primary sector continues to increase, questions concerning the contribution they make to raising standards of attainment remain to be answered. This article reports evidence from a small-scale…

The accomplishments of the Right to Read Effort of tbe District of Columbia Public Schools since its implementation, with specific emphasis on accomplishments during the 1978-79 program year, are documented in this evaluation report. The first part of the report provides a description of the program and of the evaluation design. The report's…

To investigate the effects of the Southwest Regional Laboratories (SWRL) Kindergarten Program on readiness for first grade as measured by the Metropolitan Readiness Test and the Gates-MacGinitie Readiness Skills Test was the purpose of this study. The subjects for the experiment were 52 kindergarten students who were randomly assigned either to a…

This paper describes the activities of the National Institute of Education (NIE) in reading research and development with particular emphasis on the Essential Skills Program. The Essential Skills Program's purpose is to aid all children in obtaining skills necessary to function in society. The paper is divided into three categories: activities…

The purpose of this study was to determine if phrase reading training with fourth graders would significantly enhance the development of reading skills for the purposes of obtaining and using new information. Forty fourth grade classrooms were assigned at random to five groups: 5,000 phrase group, 10,000 phrase group, 15,000 phrase group, 20,000…

Survey of teacher attitudes toward reading instruction at the primary level provides several ideas for improving reading programs. (RB)