Presents humorous, yet horrifying, ramifications of leveling students for reading instruction. Tells the story of an adult who is unable to buy books because the ones she wants are not at the appropriate "level." (SG)

Studies the reading comprehension of high school students who read three expository passages of increasing difficulty. Finds that the two groups use the same type and number of strategies on the easy passage, but as the passage difficulty increased, good comprehenders use more types of strategies and use strategies more often than the poor…

The authors collected career information pamphlets for 16 jobs requiring little or no postsecondary education and analyzed these materials using Fry's readability formula. It was found that 26 of the 36 pamphlets analyzed were written at a postsecondary reading level; in fact, 14 were written at a reading level for college seniors. (CH)

Investigates whether reading ability improves when students read relatively easy library books. Compares reading achievement of students in grades three, four, and five who read books at either above or below their reading level. Finds no evidence that either group gained in reading ability. Notes that later empirical evidence indicated no actual…

Monitors several measures of progress toward a breakthrough improvement in computer manuals. Reports observations from a benchmark study of the state of the art in computer manuals, both paper and online. Suggests additional areas for improvement. (RS)

Compares three linguistically motivated algorithms for assigning between-word space sizes for their impact on text readability. Finds that the readability of text can be improved with the aid of a rudimentary automatic parser. (PRA)

Compares the grammatical structure of original press releases with the resultant placements in daily newspapers. Finds that, in their use of press releases, journalists almost always have to make them simpler, shorter, easier to read, and less passive. (SR)

Notes that many of the tests used in a major statewide merit system had reading levels appropriate for high school, whereas the positions for which they were used to evaluate job applicants had reading requirements much lower. (RS)

Presents a model to predict readability of documents encountered by older adults. Finds a correlation of 0.54 between the readability scores for test items predicted by the model and the percentage of older adults correctly answering those items. Finds that more difficult test items were correlated more highly with fluid intelligence abilities,…

Flesch Reading Ease scores were calculated for 48 books used in distance education courses at Andhra Pradesh Open University (India). Scores ranged from 32 (public administration) to 46 (geology). Scores correlated positively with pass percentages. (SK)

The readability, reading ease, interest level, and writing style of 20 current textbooks in secondary marketing education were evaluated. Readability formulas consistently identified lower reading levels for special needs education, human interest scores were not very reliable information sources, and writing style was also a weak variable. (JOW)

This study of 12 individuals with blindness or low vision extended earlier studies by Morton Heller concerning speed and accuracy of reading noncanonical (tilted) braille text. Results were similar for Heller's original character set (B-J), but the effect of orientation was reduced with other letters and whole words, especially for experienced…

Offers definitions of terminology associated with typography. Notes several questions designers of high school and college student publications can use to evaluate their work. (SR)

Notes that, when choosing type for newspapers, yearbooks, or other student-produced pieces, designers should always keep in mind the "target audience." Suggests a basic set of 16 rules designers should follow when selecting types for printed publications. Concludes that it is important to be creative when choosing type, but making sure…

Work teams sometimes include individuals with low levels of reading proficiency. Traditional team assessment instruments may not be suitable for use with such teams. A well-known teamwork instrument, the Team Excellence survey (LaFasto & Larson, 1987), was simplified to enhance readability. Fifty-two participants completed both the original and…