Examines the extent to which issue-related attitudes influence readers' comprehension and retention of information presented in an impartial text. Finds no effect of issue-related attitude for the selective encoding or recall of low-level data. Finds attitude-consistent response tendencies in the immediate learning phase. (MG)

A study examined the effect of divided and alternating comparison/contrast text structures on the reading comprehension of the college developmental reader. In the divided pattern, all of the information about an object is provided and then all of the information about the other object is provided, while in the alternating pattern comparisons…

Examines the effects of two types of comparison-contrast discourse structures on the initial learning and retention of unfamiliar scientific information by mature readers. Finds a demonstration of the mature reader's versatility in accommodating unfamiliar information, especially when it is presented in well-structured patterned texts. (MS)

Compares high school students' use of analogic and pictorial illustrations for understanding and remembering complex instructional text. Finds that pictures proved helpful for both immediate performance and delayed performance, while analogy was helpful for delayed performance but only slightly more helpful on immediate performance. (MM)

Describes the purpose and functional operation of new computer-driven technologies such as computerized axial tomography, positron emissions transaxial tomography, regional cerebral blood flow monitoring, magnetic resonance imaging, and brain electrical activity mapping. Outlines their current contribution to the knowledge base. Speculates on the…

Assesses prior knowledge and involvement in high school readers whose backgrounds would seem to match the possible interpretations of an ambiguous text. Finds that (1) prior knowledge resulting from actual group membership exerted only a modest effect on interpretation; (2) readers' level of involvement predicted text interpretation reliably; and…

A study investigated the role of prior knowledge in ambiguous text interpretation by directly measuring readers' knowledge of, and level of involvement with, three distinct topical domains that could be assigned during reading of an ambiguous passage. Subjects, 52 athletes of average or above average reading ability competing in one of three…

Describes the nature and consequences of liberally or improperly applying the traditional reading research methodology and provides an argument for tempering judgments about the relative contributions that experimental studies make to the professional literature in reading. (SKC)

Shows that synonymic scoring of cloze tests is highly variable--that the score seems to appear simply on who grades the test. (FL)

A critical review of nine articles featured in a School Psychology Review issue devoted to the theme of reading assessment and intervention revealed that the data were essentially accurate and consistent with reading education principles. However, the conclusion that varying reading positions did not receive equal representation is discussed.…

Critically reviews an earlier published study that assessed the sensitivity of the cloze procedure to intersentential integration. (AEA)

Analyzes alternative cloze forms derived from selected deletion strategies, scoring procedures, and blank conditions for respective effects on the cloze test performance of college-level readers. (HOD)

Finds that, in making "good reader" judgments, upper-elementary children mentioned 15 separate criterial categories, clustered into four major category groupings, most frequently referencing the "public performance/fluency" category (word recognition, word analysis, and reading rate), but also mentioning "teacher practices,""affect," and…

The Anna Plan is a unique delivery model for enhancing schoolwide literacy instruction in the primary grades. Based on the principles of Reading Recovery and Four Blocks literacy instruction, it provides supplementary reading instruction through the distinctive use of teaching staff. Over six years, it has resulted in sweeping changes in the way…

Analyzes the effects of selected deletion patterns, blank conditions, and scoring modes on the cloze test performance of sixth-grade students. (FL)