Provides a rebuttal to a television interview on the "Phil Donahue Show" in which John H. Richards suggested that many people suffer from an incurable disease called dyslexia and will never be able to read. Insists that with hard work, dyslexics can learn to read. (MKM)

Draws an analogy between the insurance business and at-risk students. Argues that being at-risk in reading means a failure to gain control over reading and reading to learn, leading to learned helplessness. Discusses factors associated with learned helplessness. Outlines what teachers can do for at-risk students. (RS)

Reports on a study that found that a large proportion of adult poor readers reported negative memories of reading aloud in school. Also found that dislike of oral reading increased with reading ability, was present equally among men and women, and was less common among Blacks than Whites. (ARH)

Research suggests that there are three subgroups among poor readers, each with different patterns of skills, and that diagnosticians should look for an imbalance of skills, rather than any set assortment of strengths and weaknesses. (MKM)

Recounts the story of Tom, a nonreader, and how a computer helped him to communicate and eventually learn to read. (DF)

Discusses possible causes of the lack of good reading and study skills among U.S. secondary school students. Describes several techniques for improving these skills. (ARH)

Advocates encouraging parents who are illiterate or semiliterate to make use of practices that do not require literacy skills, but that will support their children in becoming successful readers. Suggests many activities that will help both children and parents develop literacy skills, such as tutoring and discussing television shows. (SKC)

Describes an unsuccessful attempt at teaching a well-motivated adult non-reader to read. Details different approaches that were tried, such as the sight method, auditory methods, tactile methods. Suggests ways to avoid reading failure in adults, such as checking for disabilities, and getting to know the student. (SKC)