As a foundational element of schooling, learning to read and reading to learn is every bit as important in the 21st century as it has ever been. Whether interacting online, doing assignments, taking tests, or social networking, the ability to read and read well affects every part of one's existence and often predicts success throughout life. In…

Following a nationwide trend, reading scores at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School in suburban Chicago began dropping with the entrance of the new millennium. However, through its newly created Reading Department, Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School is providing comprehensive, direct reading instruction throughout grade and skill…

Bringing together leading experts, this book presents the principles of effective literacy leadership and describes proven methods for improving instruction, assessment, and schoolwide professional development. The book shows how all school staff--including reading specialists and coaches, administrators, teachers, and special educators--can play…

Research has identified certain comprehension strategies that seem to work in an optimal manner to increase the reading comprehension of K-12 students. However, little evidence exists about whether teachers use identified, research-based strategies when teaching. In view of the critical nature of literacy achievement for diverse populations and…

Reflects on and evaluates the author's past year as a reading resource consultant in a program that has moved from a pullout reading program to a mainstreaming one. (SR)

The consultant function has great potential for creating positive and worthwhile changes in the reading program. The degree of success attained will be determined by the clarity with which the role is defined and responsibilities delineated, an understanding of the interrelationships between consultant responsibilities and those of other…

Article is an interview with Mary Austin, author of "The First R" and "The Torchlighters". (GB)

In St. Paul (Minnesota) a certified reading consultant is assigned to each secondary school to provide initial and continuous inservice to English teachers who then teach developmental reading classes as part of the communication curriculum. (Author/MLF)

Discusses the uses of surveys, notes the types of survey instruments available, and provides examples of survey instruments to assess teacher competencies and student reading behavior. Suggests that surveys are especially useful for providing information for two sections of grant applications: the needs assessment and comprehensive planning…

THE READING COMMITTEE SHOULD GUIDE THE TOTAL READING PROGRAM. THE READING CONSULTANT FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED BY THE READING COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE SHOULD PROVIDE THE CONSULTANT WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATUS OF READING IN THE DISTRICT--DISTRICT TEST RESULTS, TEACHERS' BACKGROUNDS, INDIVIDUAL STUDENT RECORDS,…

The management of a reading program should be based on objectives rather than on tasks. There are eight functions that apply to successful management: planning, organization, staffing, direction, control, innovation, representation, and communication. The R3C concept (reading coordinator, reading committee, reading center) is helpful to delegate…

Author considers two of the major issues in reading debated in the sixties: how to start; when to start. (GB)