This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 9 titles discuss the following topics: (1) a comparison of the effects of three methods of vocabulary instruction on vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension; (2) the use of an elaboration strategy combined with classroom…

The theme for this focused journal issue is reading in the content areas. Articles discuss the following topics: (1) teaching reading strategies instead of skills; (2) teaching reading in elementary content areas; (3) metacognition and mapping; (4) a summer school program designed to appeal to poorly motivated junior high school students who are…

Through a review of the literature, this paper describes current practices in compensatory reading programs, (particularly Title I and Chapter 1 programs), offers evidence on how such practices evolved, identifies program features that may be questionable, and suggests ways to redesign such programs to enhance their effectiveness. The first…

Intended for use by literacy workers, teacher trainers, and program developers and directors, this annotated bibliography brings together the most current writings about adult literacy education available in journals, books, and ERIC documents. The entries are arranged into five sections: (1) the state of adult literacy, both in the United States…

A study examined prereaders' story processing strategies by assessing their performance on tasks that tapped their ability to (1) use story grammar and role playing, (2) retell a wordless picture book, (3) read a predictable book, (4) retell an oral story, (5) sequence pictured story events, and (6) fingerpoint-read a nursery rhyme. Parent…

This module (part of a series of 24 modules) is education program, on fostering students' growth in reading skills. The genesis of these materials is in the 10 "clusters of capabilities," outlined of Public Law 94-142 to Teacher Education." These clusters form of Public Law 94-142 to Teacher Education." These clusters form the…

The 11 papers presented in these proceedings focus on the general theme, "Factors Other Than Teaching That Influence Reading Achievement." The following topics are covered: (1) the relationship between culture and reading achievement, (2) the influence of language on reading, (3) levels of cultural knowledge and self-esteem of intermediate grade…

Intended to help professionals remain knowledgeable about current research in reading and to serve as a relatively accessible bibliographic source of research on a specific topic, this annual report summarizes approximately 1,150 reports of reading research identified between July 1, 1983, and June 30, 1984. The summaries are arranged into six…

This paper discusses behavior modification principles designed and implemented to increase the on-task performance of 22 first-graders during study and class time for two daily reading periods. Acceptable behavior in class included listening and participation in activities and, during study time, included keeping busy with reading activities and…

This paper discusses adult reading levels, the differences between adult and child learners, and diagnostic techniques that can be used to develop reading competence in an adult learner. In the example provided of an adult learner, a profile analysis of the adult revealed his motivation for developing reading competence and his perceived reading…

A community college teacher, knowledgeable in composition and reading, worked with content area colleagues on reading and writing ideas for their courses. His "missionary work" included talking to colleagues, demonstrating teaching methods in their classrooms, and writing course materials for them. His main problems involved difficulties in…

Discipline records and reading test scores revealed that students in the Redding Middle School (Middletown, Delaware) were achieving low reading scores while the number of discipline referrals remained high. This report of a practicum project shows how the school's teachers and administrators succeeded in changing the direction of this trend,…

This paper discusses the use of newspapers, magazines, and high interest/low vocabulary materials in teaching reading skills to secondary educable mentally retarded (EMR) students. Among the topics it considers are the following: the importance of teaching reading to EMR students through approaches that research indicates are effective, reading…

The materials in this teaching unit are designed to improve the skills of second grade students in following directions, understanding and following a sequence of actions, and recognizing common word structures (compound words, prefixes, and suffixes). Each section of the unit contains a brief overview of the skill area, a list of performance…

There are two educational facts of life: some children are hard to teach and the need exists for some form of remedial reading instruction. This paper seeks to impress on teachers the need to identify those children who are hard to teach and then to adapt the components of remedial reading instruction to fit the needs of those students. This…