Provides reviews of four educational software packages which deal with problem solving, mathematics, history, and reading comprehension. Includes information about appropriate hardware, grade level, the publisher and purchasing. Contains comments about the strengths and weaknesses of each program. (TW)

A double-blind controlled study of the effect of paired reading was carried out with 33 failing readers and their parents. After an average time of 7.6 hours of paired reading at home spread over six weeks, the experimental group children made gains of 2.43 months for reading accuracy and 4.36 months for comprehension. (JDH)

The results of synthesizing 40 studies regarding the effects of gender characteristics of instructional materials on students indicate that sex-equitable materials can improve both male and female students' learning experiences and assist in developing gender-balanced associations and more flexible sex role attitudes. Effects on preference and…

Compares attitudes of elementary school principals, teachers, and parents toward promoting voluntary reading with their attitudes toward instruction in comprehension, word recognition skills, and study skills and concludes that promotion of voluntary reading is considered lowest in priority by all groups. (DF)

Summarizes award-winning research produced by Andrew M.Hess, Sirkka-Liisa Rauramo, Richard L. Allington, Donna E. Alvermann and David A. Hayes, Lesley M. Morrow and Carol S. Weinstein, Taffy E. Raphael and Bonnie B. Armbruster, Nancy Nelson Spivey, and Courtney B. Cazden. (FL)

Examines the nature of scientific discussion and places the problem of scientific literacy within the broad context of critical analytic reading skills. (FL)

Investigates the effectiveness of a hierarchical summary procedure used after reading social studies material. Concludes that the procedure enhanced students' recall for relatively unfamiliar, but not relatively familiar, social studies text and had a positive effect on the quality of their expository writing. (FL)

This framework articulates the knowledge and skills adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners need in order to communicate effectively and confidently in English so that they can meet their needs, advocate for themselves, their families and their communities, and participate more fully in U.S. society. The content outlined in…

A study examined the effects of prior knowledge on the reading comprehension of disadvantaged first-grade students from an inner-city school in northern Utah. A thematic approach using trade books, field experiences, Language Experience Activities, and student journals was used to increase background knowledge of the at-risk first graders who were…

This study investigated the nature of preservice teachers' instructional actions during Directed Reading-Teaching Activities (DR-TA) to involve students in reading and enhance their understanding of text, noting scaffolding processes used to engage children in making sense of text. Twenty-eight preservice teachers who were first-semester K-8…

Intended for teachers of grades 6-10, this book was designed to motivate young people to read, build their comprehension skills, and extend their learning across the curriculum. The book's participatory mealtime programs incorporate learning with activities such as writing and art projects, role-playing, storytelling, games, interviewing, and…

This paper presents the results of a research study carried out with Mexican college students to analyze the relationship between readers' cognitive styles (field dependent/independent) and their performance at different levels of written discourse processing in Spanish (L1) and English (L2). The sample for the study included 452 undergraduate…

Reading is a complex activity that involves both perception and thought. Reading consists of two related processes, word recognition and comprehension. Learning to read is an important educational goal. Research has shown that there is a great deal of transfer from learning to read in one language to learning to read in a second language. This…

This digest describes a research and development program being carried out in transitional bilingual education programs at five elementary schools in the Los Angeles area. Researchers have been collaborating with teachers and project advisors to develop, implement, and describe instructional strategies that improve the chances of students in these…

Cites research indicating that while students react more strongly to visual presentations, they recall more details when reading. Offers explanations for the differences. (MM)