A popular response among high school teachers and leaders facing students reading far below grade level, the authors claim, is to adopt back-to-basics packaged programs that focus on discrete skills with little attention to critical reading and writing. The authors express concern that reliance on such programs keeps older struggling readers from…

Describes three key developmental reading strategies that content-area teachers can implement in their classrooms: Collect real books and other content-rich materials, read aloud to students, and provide time for independent reading. (PKP)