While the prediction of college grade point average (GPA) has been extensively investigated, research results seem inconclusive. Recent developments in the realm of intelligence have emphasized word knowledge and world knowledge. These two components were investigated relative to college GPA in a group of elementary and secondary student teachers…

In light of conflicting and limited results in the assessment of the effects of text-forming structures, a study investigated the effects of specific microlevel and macrolevel text-forming elements on readers' comprehension of selected passages of scientific technical prose. More specifically, the study examined the individual and combined effects…

Thus far the several different strategies that have been employed to investigate the size of the perceptual span during reading have not yet resolved the question of whether good readers have a larger span than poor readers. An investigation was designed to determine the region of text from which letter information is used during a fixation of the…

Adolescent Portuguese-English bilingual students participated in a study that examined the relationship between reading rate and reading comprehension. The 31 subjects were placed in one of three groups: (1) normal readers, reading at grade level as indicated by IQ test scores; (2) slow readers, reading at least two years below expected grade…

The amount of print that 42 college students apprehended in 40 millisecond tachistoscopic flash presentations was monitored for strings of random letters, unrelated words, and words in context (sentences). The results indicated that mean apprehension spans per flash were 3.7 letters for random letters, 9.3 letters (2.0 words) for unrelated words,…

Reports on five studies which investigated reading for pleasure. Finds that this reading is characterized by within-text reading rate variability, is more arousing physiologically than other waking activities, and gives readers a feeling of control. Also finds that the Fog Index of readability predicts readers' preferences and difficulty rankings.…

Describes two experiments which demonstrate improvement in reading speed as a result of an uncomplicated BASIC computer program which automatically assigns phrase structure to grammatical sentences to produce syntactically formatted text. Both experiments indicate poor readers are aided by this type of format. (MBR)

Investigates whether improved fluency and comprehension across different stories in repeated reading depend on the degree of word overlap among passages and whether repeated reading is more effective than an equivalent amount of nonrepetitive reading. (HOD)

This paper describes the investigation of a computerized measure of reading rate as measured by the new Nelson-Denny Reading Test CD-ROM (1993). This study addressed three aspects of validity: (1) score comparability between reading rate measured by the computer version and the paper-and-pencil version; (2) concurrent validity with reading…

Studies were conducted to determine effects of all-capital text on reading rate and accuracy. Groups were shown text in all-capitals and mixed print. College students read mixed print faster but all-capitals more accurately. Print type did not significantly affect rate or accuracy for sixth graders. Twenty-seven references are provided.…

Reports that reading rate gains that may have been derived from a film-aided speed reading course were not retained when the subjects encountered difficult reading material. (FL)

Explores two approaches to discourse structure and comprehension. Illustrates that prior knowledge is ued in conjunction with cues to construct the macrostructure of the story. Provides evidence that text comprehension is based on the presentation of the propositions of the story. (PMJ)

Investigated whether Frederiksen and others (1985) multiletter recognition program improved speed, accuracy, and recognition of multiletter units. Found increased perceptual coding skills for 9- and 10-year olds in the training group compared to those in the control group. Results suggest that future research should focus on generalization of…

Twenty-four students with reading difficulties (grade 4) and 85 skilled readers completed a reading comprehension test, read aloud a folktale, and read aloud a list of the folktale's words. Skilled readers read three times more correct words per minute in context and showed higher accuracy and rates on all measures. (Contains references.)…

Comparison of a taped-words procedure and a drill procedure on the correct oral reading rates of five adolescents with behavior disorders and academic deficiencies found improvement related to the opportunities to respond rather than to the model provided by the taped-words procedure. (DB)