Reports that high school remedial readers perceived good stories to be good stories despite adaptations in readability and length, and poor stories were not helped by improving readability or decreasing length. (FL)

Indicates that Fijian pupils who had read a large number of high-interest story books written in a second language (English) progressed in reading and listening comprehension in that language at twice the rate of those students who had not read such books. (AEA)

Compares the reading interests of middle school Black and White students from the same socioeconomic background. Concludes that there is a high correlation between being Black and choosing certain books and being White and choosing other books. (FL)

A random sample of 330 members of the Association of Teacher Educators evaluated that organization's national journal, "Action in Teacher Education." Findings of the survey are reported, including a breakdown of the ratings given to various sections of the journal. (PP)

Concludes that there are fewer differences in children's reading preferences between sex, age, and nationality than educators have been led to believe. (FL)

Concludes that both boys and girls benefited from reading sex-appropriate content as opposed to content that was self-selected. Confirms that strong group feelings about reading exist outside a sex-typed pattern of interests. (FL)

Suggests that town and small city audiences differ from rural, farm audiences in some newspaper content preferences. (RL)

As part of an ongoing study by William Paterson College, 700 New Jersey children (Grades 4-5) were surveyed about their reading interests. Age and sex remain the major factors influencing children's topic choices; some rural-urban differences were also found. Related primary grade findings are included. (SJL)

A 20-item scale, based upon the Estes Reading Attitude Scale, was constructed to measure elementary students' attitudes toward reading. Results supported its reliability and validity for third, fourth, and fifth graders. (The scale is included). (JKS)

Data from a comparative study of media use and preferences in two Tennessee towns reveal significant differences in media preferences and challenge some lingering stereotypes about the homogeneity of a small town's use of its daily newspaper. (GT)

Reports on a survey of nearly 300 high school seniors asked to reflect on their reading experiences, both inside and out of school. Demonstrates that students find assigned reading, especially Shakespeare and Dickens, unrewarding and painful. Discusses problems and solutions of contemporary teaching methods. Suggests that students be given a…

Explores the educational contexts in which boys and girls make their reading choices. Finds that girls read more and read narrative fiction almost exclusively, while boys read less but in a wider number of genres. Examines the effect that teachers or curriculum have in supporting or challenging gender preferences for reading material selections.…

Investigates the reading behaviors and perceived reading status of 42 teacher education majors. Finds that teacher education students, whether labeling themselves as "frequent" or "occasional" readers, view themselves as readers in a literate society who will serve as role models to promote literacy in prospective students.…

Examines 773 elementary-age children's choices of hard- and paper-backed trade books to determine cover preference. Reveals that paperbacks were preferred. Notes that children's reasons for selecting books did not significantly differ by sex, race, grade level, or any combinations. (RAE)

A study of 127 French immersion students in Alberta found over two-thirds never read in French for pleasure outside school, a finding not influenced by gender, French reading achievement, or attitude towards reading in French. However, students benefitted from some methods used by teachers to stimulate reading. (51 references) (Author/MSE)