Investigates the effects on students' literacy learning of implementing recommended practices for primary programs, mandated in Kentucky's sweeping education-reform effort. Finds that students taught by four "high implementing" teachers outperformed students of "low implementing" teachers on every measure of literacy…

Describes a cross-age reading and writing program in which sixth-grade students (all average and low-average readers) were paired with kindergarten children to read and write collaboratively on a regular basis. Finds evidence from the students themselves, their parents, the teachers, and the school librarian showing how students' attitudes toward…

With increasing attention focused on comprehension, there is a need for research regarding how to implement comprehension instruction for struggling readers and assess its effectiveness. This article describes reading instruction as it occurred over two years with one struggling reader in third and fourth grade. A comprehension checklist provided…

Summarizes research results from an international study investigating which children benefit from working with self-learning kits and under what conditions. (JM)

Address the development of a literature review that summarizes what educators know about the role of the reading specialist and the various roles that reading specialists assume. Examines journals in the field of reading research and instruction, government documents, technical reports, and ERIC documents that related to the role of the reading…

Reports extensive observations of a whole language program in two first grade classrooms that support whole language instruction. Outlines the advantages and disadvantages of the approach for both students and teachers. (FL)

Describes five programs of early intervention for the prevention of reading problems (Success for All, the Winston-Salem Project, Early Intervention in Reading, the Boulder Project, and Reading Recovery). Compares these five programs on a number of dimensions, identifying common features that seem related to preventing reading problems. Draws…

Provides a picture of remedial reading instruction based on three views: (1) an observational study of Chapter l programs; (2) an observational study of 79 Chapter l teachers in a large city; and (3) an analysis of the case reports of a college reading clinic. Calls for reform based on theory and research. (NH)

Discusses the fallacy in the Procrustean approach of fitting reading instruction to reading theory. (FL)

Presents research on reading performance that focused on whole schools. Considers early reading programs in high-poverty, high-performing schools and how these schools allocated resources to develop, implement, and sustain their early reading programs. Identifies practices in specific high-performing, high-poverty schools through case study…

Finds very encouraging results on the effectiveness of a preschool emergent literacy intervention in a "skid row" child-care facility in downtown Los Angeles. Shows that both preschool teachers and parents established regular habits of shared book reading and numerous ways for children to write and display their work. (SR)

Describes an inner-city parent involvement program based on research showing that when parents provide extra reading instruction at home their children's reading performance improves. Reports on an evaluation of the program that showed significant reading achievement gains for children enrolled in it. (FL)