This study analyzed the effects of a kindergarten phonological awareness training program, STeps Into Reading (STIR) on the number of special education referrals, classifications, and retentions in a rural elementary school in New York. These numbers were compared prior to and after the program's implementation. STIR is based on research in the…

Academic testing observed in a year-long study of kindergarten classes in 15 districts was primarily concerned with whether children were succeeding with the content of a basal reader readiness workbook that essentially dealt with phonics. Such success was viewed as a prerequisite for the first preprimer in the basal series, the use of which…

This report gives an interim evaluation for 1982-83 of the Kindergarten Reinforcement project in the Cleveland Public Schools. This project, designed to promote optimal development of disadvantaged children's basic learning skills relevant to subsequent successful school experiences, provides kindergarten teachers with supplementary instructional…

Intended to provide Native community members, teachers and administrators in Native schools, and teachers in training an overview of current research on language issues relating to Canadian Native education, the book presents general background information on Native peoples in Canada and the education systems that serve them. Existing and…

The purpose of the Chapter 1 Early Childhood Education Program in Portland Public Schools is to provide disadvantaged children the experiences needed to ameliorate the disadvantages resulting from their circumstances. This evaluation report of the 1989-90 school year concludes the program's 18th year of operation. The preschool program consisted…

The Child Development Project run by the Cleveland public schools gives eligible four-year-olds basic experiences, not generally available in the home, that help them develop learning skills needed for success in school. Language and other pre-reading skills are emphasized. Each project class includes about 20 children, who attend half-day, five…

The program entitled Prevention of Learning Disabilities: An Interdisciplinary Model, developed and operated by the Learning Disorders Unit of New York University Medical Center, has three elements: scanning, diagnosis, and intervention. Educational intervention is done primarily by Board of Education teachers and educational assistants under the…

Six eclectic basal readers were evaluated to determine what basal readiness programs are teaching kindergarten and early first grade children. Each lesson was analyzed to discover the main purpose of instruction as stated in an objective or skill and the actual requirements placed upon the child during instruction. Using the recommendations from…

This paper contains a description and evaluation of a project designed to assist teachers, aides, and parents in the preparation of preelementary children for structured elementary school reading programs. Activities involving 22 teachers and aides and 71 parents from seven schools or child care sites are described. A section on achievement data…

A study examined which phonological skills, as primary skills, can more effectively be developed and lead to decoding skills in low-skilled kindergartners: (1) segmentation/blending, or (2) rhyming/first sound identification? Low-skilled kindergartners (n=61), who scored less than 4 items correctly in 3 out of 5 measures, were randomly assigned to…

Contrasts the effects of a storybook reading approach to traditional reading readiness approaches on the literacy development of urban at-risk kindergarten children. Finds that the storybook reading groups scored significantly higher on a variety of literacy measures. Finds no significant differences between the groups on standardized measures of…

This is the final evaluation report for Boston's Title I Early Childhood Jackson-Mann Developmental Program (1980-81). The Early Childhood component serves about 1000 4-year-olds (kindergarten I) and 5-year-olds (kindergarten II) in an effort to raise the level of educational achievement among children identified as needing special assistance. The…

Major conclusions highlighted in the summary of the 1980-81 ESEA Title I evaluation of the Austin (Texas) Independent School District are: using Title I and local funds to lower pupil/teacher ratios to 15:1 produced an effective compensatory education program; across grades, low-achieving students benefited more from lower pupil/teacher ratios…

This paper provides background information on school reform and describes efforts to implement an assessment system for students with disabilities in 12 nongraded primary classrooms. Background information briefly covers the school restructuring movement, the history of nongraded primary education, alternative assessment strategies which focus on…

Data from 24 instruments used to evaluate the 1980-81 ESEA Title I Migrant program in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District are presented. A separate section for each instrument includes a description of purpose; procedures and results; and, where appropriate, relevant communications, instructions and statistical data. Summaries describe…