Discusses the development of a reading progress chart to display students' chronological age versus reading age over a period of time. Investigates the validity of this methods of recording individual students' progress. Finds evidence for the usefulness of the chart as a pictorial record of students' progress. (RS)

Suggests that the majority of poor readers are poor at discriminating similar letters/words and at letter recognition. Argues that general sensory perceptive training does not improve subsequent reading development but that specific letter/word training in discrimination and recognition has a favorable effect. (RS)

Uses research data to suggest a new basis for understanding gender differences in girls' and boys' achievements in reading. Argues that raising levels of attainment across the board depends on building an active reading culture in the classroom. Suggests the Literacy Hour and the emphasis on work encompassing word, sentence and text levels for all…

Reports on a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with the parents of 15 "precocious" readers during their child's time in Key Stage 1. Notes the parents were interviewed three times: once each academic year. Concludes there are important lessons to be learned from these parents; however, as the parents of children with a precocious…

Observes 32 British primary schools during the academic year 1999-2000. Celebrates effective whole-school strategies for literacy, and confident approaches to the National Literacy Strategy. Features schools where achievements in literacy, and particularly in writing, are less secure. Suggests that these schools often share a conscientious, but…

A comparison of the effects of educational counseling of parents of backward readers with the effects of specialized remedial help for such readers suggests that an interested, well-informed staff who can enlist the positive cooperation of parents can substantially reduce the problem of reading failure without elaborate specialized provisions. (GT)

Examines the use of reading diaries, in which parents of poor readers recorded their child's reading activities at home. Indicates that children made a mean gain in Reading Age Score of 6.3 months after five weeks of using the reading diary approach. Reports positive change in reading attitudes for both parents and children. (MG)