A study evaluated the assertion that basal reading programs limit or control teachers' instructional decision making through a process referred to as "deskilling" by surveying elementary educators regarding their use of and opinions about basal reading programs. Responses from 553 of 1,000 randomly sampled International Reading…

It is an understatement to assert that American basal reading programs have come under considerable scrutiny. One of the central criticisms of these programs is that they result in the deskilling of teachers (relinquishing control over the goals, methods, materials, and evaluation of reading instruction to the basal reading materials). A critical…

The publication of the "Report Card on Basal Readers" has generated a wide range of reactions and this first document issued in the ARENA series focuses on two of these reactions. The two reactions articulated in this debate represent opposite responses to the "Report." The first section, by Constance Weaver, examines first the philosophy implicit…

A study investigated differences in reading achievement of students taught with a whole language philosophy compared to students taught using a basal textbook. Subjects, 20 second grade students taught using a whole language philosophy and 17 second grade students in the same school using basal textbooks, were given pre- and posttests to determine…

The procedures for compiling a new elementary word list using computers are described. Words were taken from 127 books in fourteen series of widely used elementary textbooks. The compilation procedures consisted of (1) input: putting the lists into the computer, (2) processing of the vocabulary into compiled lists, (3) output: production of the…

The overlap between reading subtests of four individual achievement tests and five basal reading curricula for grades 1-5 were examined. Results showed that little overlap exists between what is taught and what is tested with degree of overlap varying considerably across tests and curricula. (Author/DB)

Uses one basalized revision of Judy Blume's "The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo" to illustrate how publishers change literature to fit their self-imposed constraints. Criticizes publishers' emphasis on learning words and skills, which causes them to fracture and narrow language, and results in adapted and synthetic texts instead…

The "whole language" approach to reading instruction integrates, rather than fragments, the reading process. Ways teachers can take reponsibility for their students' literacy by modifying or even putting aside basal readers are suggested. (MT)

Criticisms of basal readers are addressed. Improvements to basal readers in 1986 and 1987 are listed. Teachers are urged to be selective when using basal readers. (MT)

Reviews Laura Zirbes' long career with particular emphasis on her theories of progressive reading instruction. Suggests that she is a neglected but important figure in modern education. Examines the implications of Zirbes' work for contemporary progressive education. (DR)

Basal reading, science, and social studies textbooks for elementary school students are too often stilted, boring, inaccurate, and/or confusing. If the children are to enjoy learning, textbook content and quality must be improved. (GC)

Eight major problems basal readers present to hearing impaired children are reviewed for regular classroom teachers, and suggestions are made for using the readers effectively and substituting alternative programs. (MC)

Evaluated methods of reading instruction in a remedial summer school program. Concluded that instruction keyed to district-adopted basal readers is antithetical to purposive, contextualized instruction and should be abandoned in favor of more creative approaches. (CJM)

Discusses the problems of overusing workbooks, dittos, and basal assessment tests in beginning reading instruction. Proposes alternatives. (FL)

This interview with reading expert Jeanne Chall focuses on criticism by Bruno Bettelheim of basal readers and phonics for beginning readers. (GC)