In this study, the authors explore a newly constructed dynamic assessment (DA) intended to tap inference-making skills that they hypothesize will be predictive of future comprehension performance. The authors administered the test to 100 second-grade children using a dynamic format to consider the concurrent validity of the measure. The dynamic…

We examined the longitudinal predictors of nonword decoding, reading fluency, and spelling in three languages that vary in orthographic depth: Finnish, Greek, and English. Eighty-two English-speaking, 70 Greek, and 88 Finnish children were followed from the age of 5.5 years old until Grade 2. Prior to any reading instruction, they were…

Discusses a study in which analyses of a set of data relating to the reading achievement of 202 second-grade children showed that both IQ and the amount of reading activity had significant influence on reading ability (as measured by a standardized test). (JM)

Concludes that second graders' self-reports of comprehension and liking were highly related to the performance measure of error detection for good readers but not for poor ones. (FL)

Finds that differences in parent and teacher ratings of low ability readers were more pronounced than the differences for high ability readers. Shows that parents of low readers viewed their children as more adaptable, approachable, and persistent than their teachers, whereas both parents and teachers viewed low readers as distractible. (SR)

Studies accurate recognition of letters in different types of letter strings when time to inspect the strings is limited in second- or third-grade children. Compares results of children with naming speed deficits and phonological deficits. Provides some support for the hypothesis that failure to automatize letter recognition interferes with letter…

Forty-four second grade students participated in a study examining the relationships between field dependence/independence (FDI), grammatical awareness, reading ability, and training in grammatical awareness. After the children were pretested for their levels of cognitive development, degree of field independence, grammatical awareness, and…

Analyzes relationships among popularity, reading, and self-concept in 79 second grade students. Results indicate that high-SES (socioeconomic status) students were more popular than low-SES students, and that unpopularity correlated significantly with reading ability, self-concept, and SES. (MM)

This study determined how children develop reading ability in first and second grade. Subjects, approximately 315 children from 3 school districts in the midwest, were given a series of standardized and customized measures of reading comprehension. Linear structural models were developed at both grade levels using LISREL to explain variance in…

This study assessed the influence of reading ability and difficulty of material on types of oral reading errors made by 42 second-grade children. Overall, types of errors changed as the material became more difficult. The interactions between reading ability and difficulty level were also significant. (Author/BS)

This study uses linguistic humor to show that awareness of only those linguistic units transcribed by the orthography bear a special relation to early reading success. The study is decribed following a review of the literature and a discussion of advantages and problems associated with the use of humor appreciation as a probe of children's…

A study investigated the literary experiences and understanding of elementary school students by focusing on the literature children encounter in school and at home, literary instruction, and the differences between good and poor readers. Teachers and researchers traced the reading habits of eight second-grade students from two classrooms from…

This executive summary reports on the number of students not reading on grade level in all second and third grades throughout Louisiana. The report notes the provisions of the legislation that requires such data be generated, and discusses selection of the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) as the uniform assessment instrument to be…

Investigates the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) reading in English with bilingual Hispanic students. Results indicate that CBM reading in English is as reliable and valid for bilingual students as it is for English-only students. Supports construct validity of CBM reading as a measure of general…

Investigates effects of reading group placement upon first and second grade students' growth in reading. Focuses on the balance between pace and success rate and on the effects of group characteristics on individual growth. Finds that group placement begins to adversely affect reading development only after children have acquired basic reading…