Presents theoretical framework underlying "rauding" theory and how the theory relates to one second, one minute, and one year of reading. Reviews the three laws and two primary equations of rauding theory. Presents detailed explanation of a causal model of reading achievement that is relevant to one year of reading. Explicitly unifies…

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)

Responds to Richard Innes's criticism of his June 2002 "Kappan" article. (PKP)

Distinguishes between two meanings of literacy that have been conflated: the ability to read and write, and the broader concept of being educated. Presents three arguments: literacy is not social; literacy is not political; and the comprehension part of literacy is a relative matter, while the ability to decode is not. (RS)

Discusses the progress in accurate measurement of reading, the major challenges for reading researchers in developing better measures in reading, and significant developments in the near future. (RS)

Considers the effect that students' health status and the health conditions of the classroom might have on reading achievement. Provides a quick checklist by which teachers can measure these conditions. (HB)

Reviews formal and informal reading achievement and diagnostic tests, evaluating them to see how they measure reading and spelling abilities within the framework of component-view of reading. Discusses recent attempts to develop alternate assessments. Concludes that school psychologists and reading specialists should be familiar with these…

In this same "Kappan" Issue, Walberg and Greenberg mistakenly allege that Success for All was developed for ulterior (financial) motives, is based on questionable research, and has had poor results. Literacy achievement has not risen for 70 years. Success for All is no panacea but is tackling this problem. (10 references) (MLH)

Instructional reforms are essentially worthwhile as they help students improve their reading from 13th percentile to the 25th or 34th percentile. Only with an expansion of expert tutoring, the goal of all students reading on grade level can be achieved.

Argues that for schools to reach the No Child Left Behind Act requirement that all children reach proficiency in reading and mathematics by 2014, a major effort must be made to develop and implement high-quality compensatory prekindergarten programs. The major features of these programs include sufficient time, precise targeting, thoughtful focus,…

Reports on a program that used older adults to tutor children in reading. Finds that the children made significant gains in reading as a result of the program. (FL)

Discusses the problems of overusing workbooks, dittos, and basal assessment tests in beginning reading instruction. Proposes alternatives. (FL)

The 1970 International Educational Achievement (IEA) survey had placed New Zealand's nine- and fourteen-year-olds first in reading achievement in comparison with all other participating countries. By the time the 1990 IEA survey took place, however, mean achievement levels had slipped somewhat, and by the mid-1990s New Zealand's reputation was…

Currently, an increasing number of states support school readiness programs, recognizing that high quality early childhood education positively affects all children's success in school and the quality of their future. Recent federal initiatives, including Good Start Grow Smart, the revised guidance for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)…

Prior to 1975, students in Chicago Public Schools were assigned grade level tests, a practice that in 1974 resulted in 42 percent of the students scoring at the equivalent of a "chance" level. In 1975, the schools switched to functioning level testing. The change caused lower average test scores, but the percentage of chance scores…