The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 encourages schools to use interventions to ensure that students' literacy difficulties are not instructional problems before assuming a learning disability. The law frames these interventions in two ways: as a strategy for identifying students with learning disabilities--a measurement…

Examines the benefits of descriptive and predictive models of reading. Argues that the choice of reading model influences the outcome of reading research. (MM)

Compares and critiques two models of invented spelling stages, arguing that knowledge of stages of invented spelling can lead to better assessment of children and more informed literacy instruction by offering a window into the learner's mind. Notes that good communication with parents about invented spelling can eliminate much of the controversy.…

Examines the slogan "explicit and systematic teaching of reading" by discussing a framework of four dimensions of learning and teaching: (1) explicit-implicit; (2) systematic-unsystematic; (3) mindful-mindless; and (4) contextualized-decontextualized. Concludes that an optimum mix of all four dimensions is needed. (SR)

Describes a model of evaluating literacy that places students' understandings in the foreground of assessment and instructional decision making. Describes gathering a variety of data that represent various perspectives, interpreting these data critically, and developing appropriate teaching strategies, which are then refined with student feedback.…

Illustrates how a group of teachers went about addressing the issue of turning theory into classroom practice, to illuminate the nature of the issues to be addressed when teachers seek to engage in the theory-into-practice process. Presents a table (created by this group) which is a framework for turning a theory of learning into classroom reading…

The Anna Plan is a unique delivery model for enhancing schoolwide literacy instruction in the primary grades. Based on the principles of Reading Recovery and Four Blocks literacy instruction, it provides supplementary reading instruction through the distinctive use of teaching staff. Over six years, it has resulted in sweeping changes in the way…

Describes the results of a survey of classroom read-aloud practices in the United States. Contrasts read-aloud practices with a "model" of what they might be. (PRA)

Analyzes research reports that describe specific corrective feedback techniques. Notes effects for comprehension and for accuracy of word recognition among remedial and average readers and discusses instructional implications of the findings. (FL)