Outlines the following teaching strategies to improve the reading fluency of beginning readers: paired reading, echo reading, mumble reading, chanting lists or stories, repeated and choral readings, memorization tasks, and phrase boundary marking. (MM)

Discusses the elements of reading instruction which are necessary for success with students who have not benefited from indirect or implicit instruction. Demonstrates how characteristics of effective instruction can be integrated into reading instruction by offering a sample lesson on reading fluency. (RS)

Two studies compared intelligence quotient, reading achievement test results, and spelling errors in 57 adult dyslexics, 56 adult nondyslexics, and 25 adult compensated dyslexics. Results suggest that compensated dyslexics appear very similar to nondyslexics in their reading and spelling skills; however, there is a difference in the automaticity…

Examines the efficacy of three assisted reading techniques designed to address reading fluency deficits: repeated reading, oral previewing, and tape-recorded assistance. Reviews procedures and the research base for each. Discusses classroom implications. (SR)

Reports a study that tested the efficacy of the fluency development lesson (FDL) as a supplement to the regular reading curriculum among second graders. The 10- to 15-minute FDL, which was implemented daily for 6 months, resulted in fluency gains, and teacher response was positive. (SM)

Describes how one elementary school developed and carried out the Million Minute Reading Incentive Program over the course of the 1996-97 school year to improve reading fluency in class and encourage students to read more at home. (SR)

The Mukilteo (Washington) School District developed an assessment plan to provide reliable feedback on primary students' reading performance, allow documentation of student progress over time, and enlighten parents. Collaborating with the University of Washington, the district decided to employ timed oral reading fluency measures to screen all K-3…

Presents three studies where children in mainstream schools compared text on white paper with identical text covered in turn by each of 10 differently-colored plastic overlays. Shows consistency with regard to the proportion of children in mainstream education who report beneficial perceptual effects with colored overlays and who demonstrate…

Fostering the motivation to read in children and adolescents is an elusive task for many good teachers. Although there has been a great deal of research on cognitive aspects of reading, little recent research on reading motivation exists. Several strategies are discussed relative to their ability to strengthen reading fluency, which affects…

Teaching and learning about comprehension is of paramount importance, from the beginning of reading instruction right through all years of school, in all curriculum areas. Research has shown that comprehension instruction can improve the reading comprehension of all readers, even beginning readers and struggling older readers. This article offers…

This paper describes a 4-year project that partnered psychologists based in universities and those in educational service districts to support development and implementation of school-wide academic and behavioral support systems in four elementary schools across four districts, representing different communities with varying demographic…

In this series of studies, we investigated the technical adequacy of three curriculum-based measures used as benchmarks and for monitoring progress in three critical reading- related skills: fluency, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. In particular, we examined the following easyCBM measurement across grades 3-7 at fall, winter, and spring…

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 created the Reading First program to help ensure that all students could read at or above grade level by the end of grade 3. The program promotes practices recommended by the National Reading Panel for early reading instruction, highlighting essential components of reading instruction. As required by the…

This study examined the validity of Nonsense Word Fluency as an index of beginning reading proficiency for students in kindergarten through second grade. Validity evidence for Nonsense Word Fluency is addressed in the context of research-based instructional practices implemented on a large scale. Technical adequacy data are presented for all…

Over many decades, the efforts of researchers to understand key issues in the reading performance of those children most at risk for developing later reading problems has been relentless. This article presents the author's commentary to three studies: (1) Vanderwood, Linklater, and Healy (2008); (2) Edl, Jones, and Estell (2008); and (3) Baker et…