In this article the author suggests that tutoring has helped students to become more organized, self-assured, and proficient at identifying relationships between ideas. Successful tutoring requires: (1) at least one attentive adult who has the time to speak with students about academic matters, personal problems, and the importance of performing…

This article examines the federal role in adolescent literacy from its roots in Lyndon B. Johnson's administration with the Economic Opportunity Act (1964) through the Reading for Understanding grants of 2010. The authors consider the extent to which the recent attention to and changes in the federal approach to adolescent literacy can be…

The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a professional development effort that was part of a 2-year Reading Excellence Act grant in a high-poverty, rural elementary school in the southeastern United States. The authors analyzed data sources, including observations, semistructured interviews, focus-group interviews, school climate inventories,…

A systematic analysis of the references to "scientifically based research" (SBR) and closely related terms, such as "peer-reviewed research" (PRR), in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) legislation, regulations, commentary, and case law reveal that SBR and its primary variants apply largely to state support…

This slide presentation takes the educator through the step-by-step implementation of a reading program, RISE (Reading Initiative for Student Excellence), in a real school. The RISE program aims for balanced literacy for students, in response to the Reading Excellence Act (REA) of 1998. The presentation outlines the steps to balanced literacy,…

This slide presentation outlines one state's (Utah) version of implementation of a model for literacy learning under the Reading Excellence Act (REA). According to the presentation, the model is called "The Utah Reads K-3 Literacy Model." The presentation is divided into the following sections: Utah's Vision: What We've Learned So Far;…

This slide presentation first states the purposes of the Reading Excellence Act (REA): (1) teach every child to read by the end of the third grade; (2) improve reading instruction through the use of findings from scientifically-based reading research; (3) provide early intervention to children experiencing reading difficulties and prevent…

To assess early literacy development in Renaissance classrooms nationwide, the 2000 Early Literacy Survey was mailed to a sample of 411 randomly selected Renaissance Model and Master pre-K-3 educators. This population of teachers was chosen for the study because they have systematically certified that their implementation of Reading Renaissance is…

Describes the Reading Excellence Act (REA) model. Shares insight that the author has gained through her experiences as she describes her work at the national, state, and local levels. Concludes that knowledge at the building level is what really matters. (SG)

The voice of the government via the Reading Excellence Act gives the message that direct systematic intense phonics instruction will solve the reading problem, end debate, lead to student success in life beyond school, and provide teachers with the prestige of successful reading instruction. This paper takes a close look at systematic direct…

Describes how two university instructors implemented the staff development component of a competitive U.S. federal literacy initiative in two elementary schools. Notes that Reading Excellence Act (REA) was enacted to give schools direct financial assistance to improve reading instruction. Suggests the greatest lesson the authors learned was…

Reviews four major federal initiatives to improve early reading and literacy programs in the U.S.: Title One Reading program, the Reading Excellence Act, Even Start Family Literacy Program, and the Leave No Child Behind Act. Concludes that these expensive reading programs have not been very successful. (Contains 22 references.) (CAK)

Professional development that increases quality classroom instruction is a concern of school administrators and professional educators. Using survey, observation, and interview methods, four rural schools in the Upper Cumberland area of Tennessee were examined to determine if professional development supported by the Reading Excellence Act…

This slide presentation outlines the components of the Reading Excellence Program. It gives the background of the Reading Excellence Act of 1998; and states that 1999 state grantees were in 17 states and would be in 14-16 states in 2000. It provides content and key strategy: six dimensions of reading, use of scientific research base; informs about…

A study examined children's reading difficulties at the early grade levels and explored how federal and state governments are responding to this critical education problem. Sections of the study address: background issues in reading achievement; federal response to improve poor reading achievement; state issues in early reading achievement;…