To determine whether the Reading Recovery (RR) program would be more effective if systematic instruction in phonological-recoding skills were incorporated, first-grade at-risk readers were divided into 3 groups of 32 children each (modified RR, standard RR, and standard intervention groups). Reading progress was strongly related to…

Examines the reading attainment levels of a group of elementary students who had either experienced nursery, day care, or no preschool provision outside the home. Compares pupils' scores on reading tests over four years. Although the results were inconclusive they suggest positive reading attainment outcomes related to preschool experience. (MJP)

Describes how one teacher researcher helped a class of low-achieving African American eighth graders dramatically increase their reading achievement. Discusses barriers to reading and creating a supportive classroom community. Describes how the author combined explicit skill and strategy development using a framework to address fluency, word…

Describes the use of the Northwest Evaluation Association's Achievement Level Test for Reading as an assessment tool in an elementary school to measure student progress in reading. Discusses interpreting scores across grade levels; computerized versions; linking test items to new curriculum; reducing reading class size; and the role of technology.…

Looping, the practice of moving teachers to the next grade level along with their students, is enjoying a comeback. European and U.S. Waldorf schools have used this approach since the early 1900s. The extra time gained in learning translates into improved student achievement, discipline, and participation. (Contains 10 references.) (MLH)

National data were used to study the longitudinal effects of variables on choice of Holland social type college majors versus other majors for 524 Asian/Pacific Islanders, 509 Hispanics, 507 Blacks, and 568 Whites. Effects of mathematics scores and gender were fairly consistent across racial/ethnic groups, and effects of reading scores and…

Thirty secondary students with learning disabilities were given laptop computers and taught computer-based study strategies to test the efficacy of using technology to support students with learning disabilities. Results showed that students with high intelligence and reading test scores were more willing to adopt computer-based study strategies.…

This article considers the research evidence from United Kingdom evaluations of integrated learning systems, systems that include extensive computer-based courseware plus management software. It discusses the value of these systems for pupils with learning difficulties and focuses on their effects on the reading attainments of pupils who are lower…

Compares two approaches for preparing students to take standardized reading tests. Discusses study that used a pretest-posttest design with reading-comprehension passages and questions to assess improvement. Suggests that measurable gain in short-term developmental programs may require focusing on a more modest number of teaching objectives,…

Discusses instructional psychology and teaching reading. Focuses on Early Reading Research (ERR), a 2-year study following a sample of 433 children as they progress from reception into Year 1. Reports on the first year of research when children were in either six experimental classes (implementing ERR reading framework) or six comparison schools.…

Of the many entrenched school customs that have been reconsidered and reformed over the past decade, social promotion has been among the most resistant to change. Holding children back in the same grade has long been frowned upon, and a large body of research seems to support that point of view. Despite the old habits and the old research,…

This study presents a longitudinal examination of the development of reading and reading-related skills of 22 Grade 4 children identified as having reading disabilities (RD) who had been followed since kindergarten. The analyses were conducted to investigate the patterns of emergence of RD as well as reading ability and risk status across the 5…

In this brief article, a case example is provided that illustrates potential program-evaluation procedures for examining the outcomes of children served in different models of special education. Specifically, the goal of this project was to evaluate the academic outcomes of children served in self-contained versus inclusive models of special…

Teacher judgments have been identified as a primary source of information regarding student academic achievement. Research examining the accuracy of teachers' judgments in assessing students' academic abilities has shown relatively high accuracy. However, previous studies have relied primarily on norm-referenced measures to obtain estimates of…

Teacher implementation of the Accelerated Reader Program is as widespread as it is diverse in terms of classroom and campus application. This manuscript highlights the findings of an informal, pilot study that examined four categories regarding the Accelerated Reader Program. The categories include: (1) assessment; (2) aesthetics and text…