Examines the instructional beliefs and practices in reading of second and third grade teachers in selected schools in the United States and Australia. Compares the results to those of an earlier study. Finds that changes have occurred in both countries regarding the types of questions posed during reading instruction and the amount of praise used.…

Describes the American Association of School Librarians' national reading research program, the purpose of which is to demonstrate the impact of library media specialists, collections, and reading promotion in public libraries, media centers, and classrooms on students' reading levels. Components of the programs are described, and proposed…

Reports on studies which investigate the effectiveness of an interactive study strategy, RESPONSE, with regular and high-risk learning-disabled students at the junior high level. Finds that students take a noticeably vested interest in lectures and discussion as they listen for answers to their specific questions when using the RESPONSE strategy.…

Studies students' reading achievement by implementing instructional techniques designed to intensify students' awareness of their responsibility for their performance. Finds that an internal locus of control is associated with reading achievement, attitude toward reading, positive self-concept, and personal responsibility for academic outcomes.…

Describes a cross-age reading and writing program in which sixth-grade students (all average and low-average readers) were paired with kindergarten children to read and write collaboratively on a regular basis. Finds evidence from the students themselves, their parents, the teachers, and the school librarian showing how students' attitudes toward…

Describes reading recovery programs aimed at helping students rediscover the pleasure of reading. Presents findings of a study designed to determine parents' attitudes toward such programs. Gives evidence of parental satisfaction, including numerous excerpts from interviews with parents. (HB)

Reviews theories of literacy development, examining the significance of text in the reading process, different instructional methods, and philosophies underlying use of story books and commercial reading material. Discusses the concept of "cohesion" as a useful construct for researching children's story books. (HTH)

Asserts that the cycle of at-risk readers' self-perception and teachers' perception can be broken by providing rich, accelerated literacy instruction. Discusses early intervention programs, such as Reading Recovery and Early Intervention in Reading, and other intervention models such as Success for All. Describes teaching strategies used to…

Describes how the authors have facilitated student-led literature discussions in their second- and third-grade classrooms. Outlines the basic organizational structure that fosters response-driven conversations about books. Illustrates the various ways students speak meaningfully with each other about the literature (including inferential…

Examines whether the characteristic reading speed impairment of German dyslexic children resulted from a general skill-automatization deficit or a phonological deficit. Tests a dyslexic and nondyslexic group of boys in grade 2. Concludes that difficulties in learning to read are due phonological deficit and not a general skill-automatization…

The case against the use of psychometric assessment as the primary vehicle for diagnosing specific reading disability is presented; instead, the authors suggest that diagnosis should begin with remedial intervention. The child's response should be the most important piece of diagnostic information. Findings from a recent intervention study support…

Despite six decades of leading researchers' research findings upholding progressive, whole-language reading approaches, consensus is lacking. Pundits tend to discredit educational research. News media promulgate tougher standards while overlooking progressive classroom successes. Parents may fear children's exploration of a wide variety of books…

Tested third-, fifth-grade, and college students for ability to apprehend moral messages in selected stories from "Book of Virtues." Asked participants to generate the message, select the message from a list, and select a vignette with the same message from three possibilities. Results Indicate a developmental difference in moral-theme…

Looks at how "scientifically based" literacy research promoting the direct, explicit, and systematic use of phonics and related word skills in beginning reading instruction is having a massive effect on policy and practice. Examines what this research claims to have found and what it actually shows. Discusses how it harms research,…

Explores the different responses to a whole-language curriculum of two average third-grade students. Describes the teacher and the curriculum, and the contrasting literacy behaviors of the students. Discusses how this year-long observation challenged the author's beliefs about children's need for whole-language instruction. (SR)