Experts from the White House to the Ivory Tower agree--and real teachers of real children concur--that reading is the most important skill young students must acquire. Whether they learn through whole language or phonics, children must leave the elementary grades competent in the art of decoding written text in their native language. Even…

Discusses practice reading and the pause, prompt, and praise remedial reading procedures used with low-progress readers of primary school age. Results are discussed in terms of the interactive social contexts provided by the two procedures and of the opportunities for reciprocal gains in skill between reader and tutors. (Author/BSR)

Suggests that since experts differ in their interpretation of reading, it is essential to establish a common concept of reading that involves the notions of independence, understanding, utilization, appreciation, and enjoyment in order to have fruitful discussions of reading progress between parents and teachers. (AEA)

Attention to school libraries must be at the heart of any comprehensive plan for improving youth literacy. Excellent school libraries are essential if young people are to have access to the reading resources to help them gain the level of literacy achievement vital to meeting the challenge of the twenty-first century. Sections of the booklet…

Outlines the importance of principals' focusing their school's curriculum on the development of reading skills through ideas such as (a) faculty inservice and orientation programs, (b) organization of faculty reading planning teams, (c) allocation of resources, (d) supportive classroom visits, and (e) informal evaluation systems to ascertain…