Discusses the notion that the best predictor of future literacy education is the past, considering major trends in progress at the end of the 20th century, particularly those that may hold the potential to end the pendulum-like shifts that have marked literacy education over time, and offering reasons to believe that such shifts will be avoided.…

Research on whole language suggests its effects on achievement vary markedly from site to site, and differences may be based not on whether a teacher uses it but how it is implemented. Learning-styles research suggests that little is gained from matching children to methods using learning styles. Instead, any approach needs to take into account…

Presents the first year's results of a continuing project to monitor the availability of software of relevance for literacy education purposes. Concludes there is an enormous amount of software available for use by teachers of reading and literacy--whereas drill-and-practice software is the largest category of software available, large numbers of…

Describes two reform models developed to promote cooperative learning and ensure student success: Success for All and Roots and Wings. The paper examines aspects of the Roots and Wings program, including Reading Wings, tutoring, early learning, MathWings, WorldLab, and family support. It also discusses how schools can adopt Success for All and how…

Offers a brief explanation of how middle school students are taught to read critically, discern fact from opinion, and understand that not everything printed can be accepted at face value, by using a procedure called Critical Reading Instruction That Improves Comprehension Skills (CRITICS). (SR)

Responds to an article on how research shaped educational policy, examining misrepresented policymaking activities, correcting mistakes about the range and utility of National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) research on reading, correcting misperceptions of NICHD-supported research efforts that might arise in the minds of…

Responds to a critique of an article on the advantage of reading instructional approaches emphasizing explicit instruction in the alphabetic principle for at-risk children. While the critique suggested it was an over-simplistic solution to a complex problem, this response suggests there are some instructional principles that can be used to enhance…

Examines to what extent negotiation of meaning can be useful in reading instruction in order to make written input comprehensible. Finds that negotiating the meaning of unmodified written input led to higher comprehension than premodifying the same input. Suggests guidelines as to the role teachers should play when input is negotiated in the…

Suggests that many educators are finding common ground and common sense under the banner of "Balanced Literacy." Discusses the term, the search for balance, and the difficulty in maintaining a balanced literacy program. (RS)

Offers suggestions for utilizing hypertext to individualize reading lessons for deaf and hard of hearing children. Necessary hardware and software requirements are listed, and a detailed example is provided. Possible uses of hypertext in mathematics instruction are noted. (DB)

Advice from a teacher of reading via audiotapes includes the following: encourage positive attitudes, explain the purpose of activities, provide models, use relevant texts, encourage chunking, provide cues for prediction, and use humor where appropriate. (SK)

Presents resources for secondary school reading teachers. Looks in depth at two books: "Into Focus: Understanding and Creating Middle School Readers," and "Mosaic of Thought: Teaching Reading Comprehension in a Reader's Workshop." Discusses three online resources about teaching reading and selecting materials (READPRO,…

Considers issues regarding technology use in reading instruction, issues such as technology and the young learner, software issues, using the Internet, and the classroom environment for reading. (PA)

Presents an instructional framework for use with beginning readers that focuses on strategy development and the use of authentic, purposeful materials. Provides a teaching "guide" to help teachers understand the important metacognitive features of the program, but notes that it is up to teachers to plan, teach, and evaluate their students'…

Describes how college-reading and study-skills instructors can use the Internet as an extension of classroom activities. Discusses teaching students to use the computer, to search the Internet, to read the sources critically, to communicate, and to write opinion papers. Notes two useful articles that deal with instructional applications of the…