Discusses several reforms in the late 1990s that were introduced to improve the teaching of reading in primary (elementary) schools and raise reading achievement levels in Ireland and in England. Examines some of these reforms, in light of emerging knowledge about effective reading instruction and differing perspectives on the role of the teacher…

Research problems and issues of concern to educators in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are discussed in 21 papers. Papers fall into the general categories of educational history and current practices. Papers in the first category cover the following topics: a history of the Education Inquiry of 1824-1826, the "hedge" or…