Urges education systems and schools to make special efforts to inform and work with parents in the establishment of a literacy assessment program so that children with special needs in literacy could receive as much attention as those who achieve. (NKA)

Shares how writing can be used as a primary intervention vehicle to provide for skill development, strategic thinking, and building self-esteem in a clinical setting. (MG)

In this article, the author addresses a problem encountered in her own professional life as a teacher of writing in the context of computing, a teaching field often referred to as "computers and writing," "electronic writing," or "computer-assisted writing instruction." The problem she has observed has to do with teaching technology in a…

This document examines the problem of illiteracy. The first chapter provides background and general information about illiteracy, while the second chapter distinguishes between "illiterate" and "functionally illiterate," and provides a new look at the concept of functionality. The third chapter begins with a section about illiteracy in the United…

More effective reading, writing, and communication courseware can be promoted through clearer guidelines in courseware development, stronger incentives for courseware developers, and greater motivation for teachers to seek out and use the courseware. In reading and writing, software guidelines must reflect traditional instructional objectives--or…

The product of a comprehensive project aimed at identifying reading, writing, and communication courseware needs, this report first discusses the benefits of computer assisted instruction and obstacles to its implementation in the communications area. It then describes procedures used to gather information and presents a detailed review of the…

The wealth of information gleaned from reading research both past and present needs to be applied to a practical eclectic reading methodology. First, an emergent instruction model needs to be created that takes into account the immediate interests and needs of the learner. This model should recognize that learning is a transaction, with the…

Thirteen authors present twelve articles concerning the development of basic skills programs in secondary schools. These articles focus on the following topic areas: practices and strategies for teaching basic skills in secondary classrooms; language as a factor in basic skills learning; development of skills in oral communication, reading,…

Notes that poor readers often equate reading difficulty with failure and exhibit stress reactions, and suggests that teachers take these feelings into account to help with remediation. (JC)

Suggests improving primary education through more scientific approaches to understanding various philosophies, especially child development and Piagetian theories and their theoretical links to educational practices. Recommends defining educational objectives based on precise scientific knowledge of children's construction of knowledge in an…

Describes longitudinal studies conducted at the Drexel Early Childhood Center (Pennsylvania) that used Self-Controlled Interactive Learning Systems to teach reading skills. Standardized test scores for at-risk students are compared with other students; experimental and control groups using standard instruction are compared; and studies of…

This paper describes the significant literary activities observed in the teaching of reading in an inner-London (England) primary school in a reception and year four class. Efforts at achieving a high level of literacy for all students are hampered by: (1) low parental literacy input and involvement in school; (2) continuous disruptive behavior…

Though most definitions of literacy focus solely on the uses of reading and writing, a sociocognitive perspective that incorporates social practices, conceptions of reading and writing, and literacy as a way of thinking is more productive. Within this view, literacy is culturally based, involves the higher intellectual skills, and is learned by…

Refining and better understanding the roles parents, teachers, administrators, and researchers play in helping children learn to process written language is the focus of this book. Part 1 considers the role of the parents and includes the following articles: "Learning to Read: It Starts in the Home" (David B. Doake): "Let's Read…

The trend of rising enrollments represents new educational challenges. President Clinton's literacy initiative, America's Reading Challenge, aims to ensure that every child can read independently and well by the end of third grade. This challenge supports grassroots literacy efforts and programs such as Head Start, AmeriCorps, enhanced community…