Describes the Weehawken, New Jersey, individualized language arts program to develop better ways of teaching writing and composition through diagnosing student writing needs, using prescriptive teaching techniques, and evaluating student progress. Validated by the Office of Education, the program has spread across the country. (MF)

The author responds to alarm over declining national test scores by outlining possible improvements for educational practice and policy. (LH)

The following error made by Sudanese students in their written English is discussed: giving the direct translation of relative pronoun plus personal pronoun from the Arabic pattern instead of the relative pronoun. The structure of the relative clause in English and Arabic is also compared. (SW)

Multimedia ties text to the words children hear and things they see by combining text, sound, and graphics, and it motivates young students to learn beginning reading and writing skills. Discusses multimedia programs that encourage beginning reading and writing and includes an annotated bibliography of CD-ROM storybooks, poetry collections, and…

Describes Australia's first bilingual program for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Students use Australian Sign Language for face-to-face communication and English for reading and writing. Discusses the phases that occur as students progress within the early stages of reading, writing, and spelling. (CR)

Describes how the academic-writing component of the Centre for English Teacher Training in Hungary developed in response to the trainees' needs. The collaborative process of program design includes tutors not directly involved with language improvement, and the resulting program reflects principles shared by the whole staff and contributes to…

This study examined effects of immersing four primary grade students with mild mental retardation in a literacy-rich environment. A variety of instructional strategies was used to assist students in understanding stories read aloud by adults, developing decoding skills, and developing prereading/writing skills. Results indicated the students made…

A mother of an adolescent daughter with blindness and learning disabilities focuses on how she helped her daughter improve reading and writing skills by finding a meaningful purpose for those skills in daily life. This article discusses early signs of learning problems, the learning environment, talking books, books in braille, technology,…

Discussion of high school dropouts highlights the development of a computer learning laboratory that was used with at-risk high school students. The assessment of students' skills in language and reading is described, software that focused on these areas is discussed, and the results of pretests and posttests is reported. (Seven references) (LRW)

Eleven learning-handicapped students, ages 8-13, generated text at microcomputers both alone and as members of dyads. Examination of mechanical errors revealed a lower error rate in the dyad condition compared to working alone. The relationship between error monitoring and the social interaction needed for collaboration is discussed. (Author/JDD)

Describes Laney College's Project Bridge, a basic skills program designed for underprepared community college students. Discusses the program's basic tenets (i.e., student-centered classrooms, the primacy of spoken language, and incorporation of minority group culture and international awareness). Considers the program's goals and organizational…

Probes the logistical problems of assigning a term paper to large history classes. Proposes a solution that asks students to write a biographical sketch of a notable individual in western civilization. Describes paper requirements and student responses to the assignment. Stresses the importance of developing writing skills in the liberal arts. (RW)

Describes a writing program that addresses adult students' limited access to computers and the program's effect on a pilot group of students. Offers some preliminary conclusions about the effects of computer availability on teaching methodology. (MS)

Describes an experimental program of interactive assessment and instruction called GUIDES to Learning and Instruction, which is designed for use in college level remedial and developmental programs in writing, reading, and study skills. Highlights include microcomputer administration of measurement; response formats; feedback; validity for…

Recommends the use of student-written sociological short stories as an alternative to traditional term papers. Describes how students choose a topic and use sociological theories and research to outline a plot, characters, dialogue, and settings. Includes excerpts from student stories and recommendations on student evaluation. (CFR)