The purpose of this study was to examine how my reading instruction had been situated within my school's literacy program. As a way to investigate this study, I employed qualitative teacher research. I used reading theory (Whole Language and Direct Instruction) as the analytical lens for my analysis. The results illustrated how the Direct…

In this practitioners' guide, a recognized reading expert explains how educators, parents, and concerned citizens can spot ineffective reading programs that may hide under the "scientifically-based" banner. Although the term "whole language" is not commonly used today, programs based on its premises remain popular. These…

Suggests that the dangers and risks in whole language are real and irremedial, and educators' only recourse is to take responsibility for its shadow side and attempt to learn the lessons that even "monstrous examples" portend. (RS)

A two-part study evaluated the effectiveness of Longfellow School's primary-grade whole-language literacy project. Part 1 of the study began in the academic year 1984-85 with children in standard English and bilingual classes in grade K-3. Over a 5-year period, a total of 1,021 individual assessments were carried out on 336 students. Data…

Describes a program in which five children (ages 8-13), including two with profound deafness, were taught English using whole language strategies combined with mini lessons in grammatical structure. The lessons were reinforced with assigned written language practice for classwork and homework, which was incorporated into the students' journals.…

Offers a point-by-point comparison of the whole language approach and the Accelerated Reader program. Offers classroom stories of how Accelerated Reader affects students. Notes that students are taught that reading is an isolated and competitive activity, and that reading means correctly answering questions generated by a computer and earning…

This paper reviews the literature and research on literature-based reading programs (as an alternative to basal reading instruction) that have proven successful and identifies key elements of such programs. The first part of the paper contains an introduction, a statement of the problem, the significance of the problem, a description of the…

Shows that literature-based curricula can be successful on a large scale. Uses data from standardized test scores and from extensive teacher surveys to show that these two large districts made commitments to literature-based holistic instruction and supported it with strong professional development programs, resulting in convincing evidence that…

Identifies and explores some of the factors that could block the whole-language movement and suggests options for addressing these potential problems. Notes that patterns that emerged from surveys of curriculum directors, principals, teachers, and parents focused on the importance of inservice education, program accountability, and availability of…

The biggest concern with whole language instruction lies in ignoring some of the obvious problems in implementation or denying that there could be any problems at all. Problems mentioned by Maryland reading supervisors involve: teacher competence; phonics/spelling/skills instruction; responses of whole language advocates when asked what direction…

In reflecting on an overview of research on microcomputers in the public schools, a researcher found that early programs were largely based on a programmed instruction model. Computers were primarily used to provide for simple repetition of low-level decoding tasks. The emphasis of whole language literacy is in direct contrast to this approach.…

Describes a preliminary study of the development and psychometric integrity of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) norms for literature-based reading. Assesses the reading achievement of 403 first through third graders. Results show that CBM procedures can be modified to develop local norms for literature-based instruction. (MKA)

This discussion of the sources of "Reading Recovery" presents the results of an investigation into whether or not this relatively costly, tutoring remedial reading program, designed for primary-grade students, is based on relevant experimental evidence as to how these students best learn to read. The general finding of the study was that Reading…

"Education Matters" is the monthly newsletter of the Association of American Educators (AAE), an organization dedicated to advancing the American teaching profession through personal growth, professional development, teacher advocacy and protection. This issue of the newsletter includes: (1) Supreme Court Hears Union Coercion Case; What…

This article presents three related evaluation studies looking at the effectiveness on achievement and motivation of Reading Together, a cross-age peer-tutoring reading program. The effects on tutees, tutors, teachers, and parents were monitored. The advantages of Reading Together began to accrue during the second and third phases of the program.…