Analyzes the reading levels of students and the readability levels of textbooks at selected junior colleges in Alabama during the 1987-88 school year. Shows why the disparity between textbook reading levels and student abilities causes reading problems in the classroom. (RAE)

A study examined the role of elementary and secondary school librarians/media specialists in Alabama in promoting reading growth, assisting classroom teachers, and teaching reading skills. Surveys were sent to all public school librarians in Alabama, and to their administrators. Results, based on 250 randomly selected surveys from librarians and…

The purpose of this study was to survey the present status of reading in Alabama secondary schools. A survey of reading in secondary schools was designed to answer the following questions: What achievement or reading tests are presently administered in Alabama secondary schools? What is the purpose of such testing? What format is presently used in…

A literature search was undertaken to determine the degree of support for the 26 criteria for successful reading programs developed by the Alabama Right-to-Read program. The report includes a brief history of the development of the criteria, a description of the search process, samples of supported criteria, and a discussion of findings. The…

In the spring of 1974, a sample of educators and educator-related groups in Alabama was asked to rate the importance of the 26 Alabama Right-to-Read Criteria for a successful reading program. In a second round of the study, a summary of round one results was sent to the entire sample, and ratings of the 26 criteria were again requested. Results…

Describes the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI), which bases teacher professional development designed to improve student reading achievement on reading research. Members of the ARI reviewed the research and called for a balanced approach to reading instruction that focuses on the individual needs of each child. Explains how the ARI Plan is being…

In 1990, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) included a Trial State Assessment (TSA); for the first time in NAEP's history, voluntary state-by-state assessments were made. In 1994, TSA was expanded to include non-public school students. The 1994 reading assessment considered students' proficiency in situations that involved…

In 1990, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) included a Trial State Assessment (TSA); for the first time in NAEP's history, voluntary state-by-state assessments were made. In 1992, the NAEP Program included an expanded TSA in fourth-grade reading. The 1992 reading assessment considered students' performance in situations that…

The 1998 NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) state level reading assessment measured fourth- and eighth-grade students' reading proficiency in situations that involved reading for three purposes: reading for literary experience, reading to gain information, and reading to perform a task (grade 8 only). This report describes the…

This report provides selected results from the 2002 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for Alabama's public-school students at grades 4 and 8. Since 1992, reading has been assessed in four different years at the state level (at grade 4 in 1992 and 1994, and at both grades 4 and 8 in 1998 and 2002). Alabama participated in all of…