This book and the conference that gave rise to its chapters were conceived as a means of investigating how to translate important sets of research findings in reading and reading instruction into practice. Topics for inclusion were selected for their high priority in terms of practice or policy; for their potential for making a substantial…

Because of record high financial barriers, nearly one-half of all college-qualified low- and moderate-income high school graduates, more than 400,000 students, will be unable to attend a four-year college in 2002, and 170,000 of these students will not be able to attend college at all. Over a decade, 4.4 million qualified students will not attend…

The Arizona Head Start Association is a federation of public and private organizations that provide Head Start programs and work to improve the conditions of children in the state. This annual report describes the operation of the Head Start program in Arizona for 2000-2001. Beginning with an introductory letter from the president of the Arizona…

This brief discusses the confusion some young children feel in moving from one activity to another (e.g., bus to classroom, cubbies to book reading, art time to lunch) that often results in frustration and challenging behaviors. The paper provides practical information on a variety of strategies to help preschool children make smooth, independent…

In 1997, the Indiana Department of Education began implementing the Early Literacy Intervention Grant Program (ELIGP), designed to assist schools in their efforts to raise the reading proficiency of students most at risk for reading failures. This report summarizes a study of the impact of ELIGP on schools in the second year of funding, 1998-99.…

This study compared mental health and developmental service use by 89 young children under the age of six in either foster or kinship care (care by family members other than the biological parents). The study specifically compared usage of: (1) services in the specialty mental health sector; (2) services in the specialty developmental sector; and…

This document describes a balanced and comprehensive approach to improve the reading and mathematics performance of Louisiana students in kindergarten through third grade. Sections of the paper address the focus on prevention, intervention, and remediation; the need in Louisiana for a K-3 reading and mathematics initiative; determining the…

This book seeks to set the record straight about today's "reading wars," and analyzes the three major "battle cries" of whole language critics. In a step-by-step dissection, the book reiterates the three arguments, then explores the most salient studies that support or refute them. According to the book, the three claims are:…

This report provides a comprehensive listing of state and federal investments in Illinois' efforts to improve the quality of life for expecting parents and children under age three and their families. The inventory profiles a wide range of initiatives and is designed to serve as a resource for local program directors, community members,…

Reading Recovery is an early intervention program that helps low-achieving first-grade children to become independent readers who need no further remediation. Reading Recovery was introduced by Marie M. Clay who, in the mid 1970s, developed procedures with teachers and tested the program in New Zealand. In 1984, the success of the program in New…

A telephone interview survey was conducted to determine the reasons some Maine schools have chosen not to implement Reading Recovery, despite the program's statewide support and continued financial support toward training costs from the Maine Department of Education. Out of 72 selected schools, 47 participated, for a response rate of 65%. A…

The purpose of this report is to identify the attitudes of parents, administrators, and teachers about the Reading Recovery[R] program in Maine. The report provides samples of comments and quality ratings as assessed by the standard annual survey forms and supplements the full State of Maine Reading Recovery[R] 1997-1998 Report and Evaluation. It…

A survey of 116 early intervention service providers for young children with disabilities examined their experiences and perceptions of providing services in natural environments such as the home, day-care center, restaurants, play grounds, etc. A questionnaire, "The Natural Environment Questionnaire," was developed which included questions with…

Two articles are presented on the implementation of Reading Recovery in Maine. The first article, "Collaborative Efforts Can Make a Difference: The Development of Reading Recovery in Maine" articulates and shares the process which took place in Maine in the hope that it will assist interested stakeholders in other states in the…

This paper examines the original design of the Reading Recovery teacher training program as it relates to sociocultural theory. It also discusses how two constructs implicit in the sociocultural theory (community of learners and the role of inquiry) relate to Reading Recovery training. The paper notes that sociocultural theory predicts that human…