Critical review of the National Reading Panel report on fluency. Asserts that panel omitted or misinterpreted studies confirming the value of free reading in the classroom to improve student literacy. (Contains 24 references.) (PKP)

In this article the author argues that the new "brain glitch" research is theoretically, empirically, and conceptually deficient. The author states that claims about the results of brain imaging studies constitute an ideological barrier to a sounder understanding of the connections between brain activity and learning to read. This work is a danger…

In this article, the author shares her experience in teaching a new first-grade student with a severe learning disability. Reading the reports from numerous experts, including medical doctors, school psychologists, veteran teachers, and one neurologist, she discovered that Sally Jo had repeated kindergarten and that it was her second year in first…

The controversy over the effectiveness of various emphases in the teaching of reading--phonetic, look-say, decoding, electic-- is unlikely to end. This article, which analyzes reactions to an important 1967 book, provides a useful summary of the reading debate today. (Author)

Describes the techniques used by the tutor of an illiterate firefighter to help him master in one semester a college textbook on emergency medical procedures. (WD)

Unfortunately for students, school reading has become an institution-- a powerful, organized machine that dooms the whole educational enterprise to mediocrity. This article presents 31 grievances against the present system and advocates replacing the vacuous, contrived subject called reading with the teaching of genuine subjects. (MLH)

Authors take issue with an article by Elaine Garan, "Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors: A Critique of the National Reading Panel Report on Phonics," that appeared in the March 2001 issue of "Phi Delta Kappan" wherein she criticized the report's findings on the effectiveness of phonics instruction in helping children to read. (PKP)

Author makes a point-by-point rebuttal to Ehri and Stahl's criticism of her critical analysis of the National Reading Panel report on the effectiveness of phonics instruction in helping children to read. (PKP)

Argues that, as an exquisitely designed pattern detector, the human brain can most effectively acquire reading skill through exposure to varied texts, and that teaching isolated "reading skills" may only serve to improve scores on skill tests. Contrasts the theoretical bases underlying these two approaches to reading instruction. (PGD)

Briefly describes six principles from Education Commission of the States' Leadership for Literacy initiative designed to help make the teaching of reading more effective and efficient. Includes discussion of scientific evidence, standards, assessment systems, data management, professional knowledge, and alignment. (PKP)

Little evidence exists to support Marie Carbo's notion that matching teaching methods to individual reading styles is superior to more traditional instructional approaches. This article refutes Carbo's claim that children can be readily divided into reading styles and that matching instructional and reading styles will produce better student…

In this article, the author recounts her experiences with the scripted teaching of reading and describes how her observations of scripted reading lessons changed her decision on preparing teachers to make informed instructional decisions based on their knowledge of reading as an orchestration of interrelated cognitive processes. Given the number…

Public elementary school teachers are in the fourth year of a mandated "national reading curriculum." A group of federally appointed experimental research scientists, known as the National Reading Panel (NRP), created a report, which is now the cornerstone for the Reading First document and a crucial underpinning of No Child Left Behind…

This program takes advantage of the mastery learning strategies, fits the Chicago reading curriculum, and keeps in mind the "facts of life" of urban education. (Author/IRT)

The authors criticize an article by John Carrol in the February 1987 "Phi Delta Kappan" in which he discussed the Reading Proficiency Scale issued by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. They feel the Reading Proficiency Scale has limited usefulness. Includes 21 references. (Author/MD)