A study demonstrated that the techniques used successfully to increase reading speed of adolescents and adults also are effective with 5th and 6th graders. Timed reading drills were investigated for their effects on reading speed and comprehension. (DP)

Outlines five incernible trends in the teaching of reading that will become main currents in the seventies. (WY)

We can improve reading instruction by using the strengths any child brings to the reading task. (Author)

Examines whether empirical research in beginning reading instruction supports the major tenets of the psycholinguistic approach to beginning reading. (Author/MP)

To reach the national goal that all children in the United States will read at an appropriate level by the end of third grade, the Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA) has studied the reading growth of children in preschool and primary classes, both in and out of school. Our framework suggests that children need to…

In this study, we used a randomized design to investigate the effects of an enriched reading program on 226 urban elementary students' (third through sixth grade) reading comprehension, oral reading fluency, and attitude toward reading in 2 elementary schools. The Schoolwide Enrichment Model in Reading Framework (SEM-R) provides enriched reading…

Delineates arguments for and against oral reading instruction in developmental reading programs. The need for systematic research into the effects and potential benefits of various forms of oral reading instruction is stressed. (CM)

After reading a brief summary of the transactional strategies approach and watching 2 videotapes of its implementation in the classroom, 30 elementary school teachers were asked about their perceptions of this educational strategy. Teachers' first impressions of the transactional strategies approach were positive, although they expressed a few…

This article reviews research conducted at the Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement that investigated the effects of home, community, school, and teacher factors on students' reading achievement. First, we review studies that highlight the importance of positive school-home partnerships and open communication between schools and…

One of the most rapidly developing areas of educational innovation involves the texts available to young readers and their teachers, leading to a host of new issues regarding the characteristics and roles of text that support young children's learning. This article describes research conducted by investigators at the Center for the Improvement of…

We examined the challenges faced by 4 high-need urban schools when trying to implement Success for All (SFA). We wanted to understand SFA instruction as well as how SFA fit into the larger school context. Over a span of almost 2 years, we observed 45 SFA lessons (21 complete and 24 partial) across the 4 schools, taught by 30 teachers. We analyzed…

Reviews Laura Zirbes' long career with particular emphasis on her theories of progressive reading instruction. Suggests that she is a neglected but important figure in modern education. Examines the implications of Zirbes' work for contemporary progressive education. (DR)

Author concludes that the evidence from the science of phonetics and from the experimentation with dictionary syllabication shows that dictionary forms of word division are inappropriate for use in teaching reading and spelling. (Author/RY)

A critical review of the National Society for the Study of Education yearbook entitled Innovation and Change in Reading Instruction. (WY)

Three teachers who had used reciprocal teaching for at least a year were observed and interviewed as part of an effort to develop a model of reciprocal teaching that would work well in classrooms. These teachers used conventional reciprocal teaching as a starting point for creating instruction they believed to be more powerful and effective than…