This article reports on a series of experiments designed to determine the validity of the Cloze test as a measure of the English language proficiency of nonnative speakers. (CFM)

Improvement of reading skills is a high priority in many schools today. If every student is to reach his potential, every teacher must play a part. (Editor)

The effects of semantic and syntactic complexity on the reading comprehension of content-area prose were investigated among 92 adolescents with learning disabilities. Subjects who read passages that had been modified syntactically or both syntactically and semantically exhibited improved comprehension. Semantic modifications alone did not affect…

Discusses the evaluations of U.S. history textbooks conducted by People for the American Way. Concludes that the higher-rated textbooks are useful only for college-bound students and the lower-ranked textbooks seem to be aimed at children with reading difficulties, thus pointing out some of the problems facing selection committees. (KO)

Examines the reading level and potential comprehension level of 10 fourth-grade science textbooks. Reports that there is a great deal of variability between and within the science texts. (YP)

A study was conducted with 782 elementary school students to determine whether the Homan-Hewitt Readability Formula could identify the readability of a single-sentence test item. Results indicate that a relationship exists between students' reading grade levels and responses to test items written at higher readability levels. (SLD)

The readability, interest level, and content of 18 current college textbooks on mainstreaming were assessed. Results revealed that readability and interest level were comparable among the texts. More variation was found in the contents of the texts. A table lists 16 topics and the degree to which each is covered in the textbooks. (DB)

This survey of 1,601 members of the American Association on Mental Retardation analyzes the organization's journals ("American Journal on Mental Retardation" and "Mental Retardation") in terms of readability, usefulness in job, preferred type of content (e.g., research reviews, direct service discussions, philosophical…

Claims that complex noun phrases in technical writing materials present major comprehension difficulties for a variety of readers. Establishes methods for paraphrasing complex noun phrases into shorter and simpler structures. Applies principles outlined to a short legal text. (HB)

Six sixth-grade science textbooks were examined for conceptual structure and readability. Hierarchical concept maps were composed on text segments for chosen topics and maps were scored. Reading analyses were also computed. Two trends were visually but not statistically evident. The Fry readability scores were higher than sixth grade, but no…

Compares readability levels of the recreational reading books selected by fourth graders. Finds that the students chose books from their school libraries and read (or chose not to read) books on all their reading levels. Concludes that students read books related to their interests, regardless of the book's readability or the student's reading…

Argues that, given the expanding audience of non-native readers of English and the need to translate technical writing, technical writing should be unambiguous and predictable. Explains what syntactic cues are and why technical communicators should use them. Discusses integrating this approach into established documentation processes, and provides…

A literature review identified issues about math tests for 11-year olds in the British National Curriculum: layout of test questions, vocabulary and language used, illustrations, and readability of text. More data are needed about how students read and process the information in test questions. (SK)

Ten ways to improve college annual fund letter campaigns include integration into a comprehensive communication plan, building long-term donor relationships, framing the case in donors' terms, creating an inviting envelope, getting names and honorifics correct, readability, providing supporting material that involves the potential donor, making a…

Twelve adolescent novels with the theme of obesity were selected for critical analysis. The novels were assessed for readability and to determine the approach to overweight portrayed by writers. The books were also examined in light of the concept of lookism prejudice. Recommendations were offered to teachers and counselors for use of these books…