Examined relation of Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) oral reading fluency to reading process from theoretical perspective. Tested reading models using confirmatory factor analysis procedures with 114 third- and 124 fifth-grade students. Tested subjects on tasks requiring decoding, comprehension, cloze items, written retell, and CBM oral reading…

Investigates genetic influences on reading in a sample of 285, 13-year-old twins. Finds the heritability of disability for reading recognition to be nonsignificant but that spelling had a substantial genetic contribution to all levels of disability. Suggests two possible independent aspects of phonological ability, each influenced by genetic…

Investigates the effects of teaching text-specific vocabulary on eighth graders' comprehension of expository text and their ability to make causal connections. Finds that vocabulary instruction prior to reading improves comprehension, regardless of the student's reading ability and that text-specific vocabulary instruction improves subjects'…

Articles in this special issue attempt to bridge the gap between research and practice about reading. At this time, the political will to see that every child becomes a successful reader can converge with a solid research base to guide these efforts. (SLD)

Studied the effects of two adaptations of the Success for All program, a Spanish bilingual version (Exito para Todos) and an adaptation that integrates English-as-a-Second-Language strategies with English reading instruction using data from six studies. Notes substantially positive effects of both approaches on students acquiring English. (SLD)

Confirms low positive identification rates when kindergarten teachers were asked to predict future reading achievement using a traditional rating scale, while a project-developed, theory-based screening battery correctly identified 81% of poor readers. Suggests that both teacher ratings and screening tests be used to identify the largest number of…

Examines four "puzzling" results of the National Adult Literacy Survey: (1) the ability to use printed information effectively is unevenly distributed in the United States; (2) adults exhibited a large gap between performance and perception of literacy skills; (3) increased literacy did not always correspond with significant earnings…

Program evaluation uses hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to evaluate 99 ethnically diverse second-graders' growth in oral reading fluency using curriculum-based measurement (CBM). Results reveal that first-grade reading performance significantly predicted initial second-grade reading performance. Argues that the use of HLM with normative CBM…

Investigates the use of a multi-step Test Item Post-Conference (TIPC) procedure with 30 English-as-a-second-language students. Notes that the procedure results in an "adjustment" of standardized multiple choice tests scores. Finds the procedure proved relatively efficient and the results were well-received by the participating ESL teachers.…

Implications of the relationships among mathematics and reading achievement tests scores uncovered by testing 366 elementary school students with academic difficulties are discussed. Tests are the: (1) KeyMath-Revised (J. Connolly, 1988); (2) Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised (F. Markwardt, 1989); (3) Wechsler Individual Achievement Test…

Presents an experimental evaluation of a trial implementation of reciprocal teaching procedures by high school teachers to address reading comprehension deficits. Forty-six students were exposed to 1 of 3 conditions: 12-16 reciprocal teaching sessions, 6-8 sessions, or no treatment. Significant gains were observed with students in the extended…

Claims the data from the Ohio Proficiency Test is rich but hard to use. Describes a process for analyzing the data to make it more manageable. Provides suggestions for using the results to make data-driven decisions. (NH)

Compares the reading achievement of second graders who were taught with a direct instruction program to second graders who were taught with a basal reading program in three areas: vocabulary, comprehension, and language. Finds Direct Instruction was more successful than the basal reading program. (NH)

Offers a critique of the interwoven nature of politics and literacy learning and teaching. Identifies political acts as interventions by those in positions of power and in government that determine how literacy is learned and taught. Focuses on: an ideological view that has most influenced literacy research; literacy instruction; literacy…

Examines parents' verbal and affective interactions with their first-grade children during shared storybook reading and how these interactions relate to growth in children's reading activity and achievement. Results reveal that affective quality was an important contributor to children's reading of challenging materials in third grade but not to…