An action research project described a program for improving reading skills and comprehension through the use of parental involvement. The targeted population consisted of primary students located at four different sites in Northern Illinois. The problem of low reading achievement was documented through data revealing a large number of students…

A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE RELEVANT TO THE PROBLEM OF PURPOSEFUL READING AND COMPREHENSION REVEALS THE NEED TO HELP CHILDREN ESTABLISH A MENTAL SET OR PURPOSEFUL ATTITUDE PRIOR TO READING. TO EVALUATE A THOUGHT-DIRECTING QUESTION AS A PURPOSE PRIOR TO READING AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY, 279 SIXTH GRADERS FROM THREE SCHOOLS IN HAMMOND,…

A DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING READING PROGRAMS IN JUNIOR COLLEGES IN ILLINOIS INCLUDING LINCOLN JUNIOR COLLEGE IS REPORTED. A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS SENT TO THE DEANS OF 37 JUNIOR COLLEGES, OF WHICH 33 RESPONDED. NINETEEN JUNIOR COLLEGES HAD AT LEAST ONE READING PROGRAM ON CAMPUS, 13 DID NOT, AND ONE OFFERED A COMPANY SPECIALIST SERVICE. IN MOST INSTANCES,…

This study describes and evaluates a project designed to increase the low reading ability which interferes with the academic growth of the targeted kindergarten, second-, and fifth-grade classes in a suburban Chicago (Illinois) community. The problem of low reading ability is documented through data revealing the number of students who received…

A program was developed for improving the reading of second-grade students in a progressive suburban community in northern Illinois. The problem was originally noted by an increase in the need for support services and low standardized test scores. Analysis of probable cause data revealed that students lacked knowledge of the relationship between…

A program was developed for improving the social skills and reading levels of 29 elementary grade students in a low- to middle-class manufacturing community located in an urban area in northern Illinois. The problem was originally noted by the amount of teacher time spent correcting behavior and the low reading levels of students as evidenced by…

A study examined and described a program for implementing a writer's workshop to increase the literacy skills of reading and writing. The targeted population consisted of early childhood special education, kindergarten, and first-grade students in a growing, middle class community located in northern Illinois. The problems of poor reading…

This report describes a program for increasing reading test scores. The targeted population consisted of one second-grade, one third-grade, and two fourth-grade classrooms in a growing middle class community located in a far western suburb of Chicago, Illinois. The problem of low reading test scores was documented though the 1995 IGAP scores on…

An action research project focused on how a child's academic achievement is affected by his or her chronological age. The population consisted of kindergarten and third-grade students in a growing middle class community within a southwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Evidence for the existence of this problem was gathered from teacher surveys,…

A program was developed for improving the reading of first-grade students in a progressive suburban community in northern Illinois. The problem was originally noted by an increase in the need for support services and low standardized test scores. Analysis of probable cause data revealed that students lacked knowledge of the relationship between…

This report describes a program for improving reading skills. The targeted population consisted of first and second grade students from urban and rural communities in Northern Illinois. The problem of underachievement in reading was documented by reading inventories, writing samples, and writing prompts. Analysis of probable cause data revealed…

This paper describes a study that evaluated a program in which students' reading and writing skills improved with the enhancement of various interventions related to reading and writing. The targeted population consisted of elementary students enrolled in first and third grades in northern Illinois. The lack of reading and writing success was…

An action research study described and evaluated a program for improving the reading comprehension of targeted first, second, and third grade students, in a progressive suburban community in northern Illinois. The problem was noted by the researchers, who in recent years had observed a need for improvement in reading comprehension as indicated by…

A study examined the effectiveness of a project to increase reading readiness skills. The targeted population consisted of kindergarten students in a growing middle class community located in northern Illinois. The problems of lack of reading readiness were documented through teacher observation and district assessment tools. Analysis of probable…

This action research project implemented a program for motivating students to read so that they would become enthusiastic, lifelong readers. The targeted population consisted of first- and second-grade students in a middle class community located in a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois. The problem of lack of motivation in reading was documented…