As the number of learning support assistants (also referred to as classroom assistants, teaching aides, auxiliary support and paraeducators) employed in the primary sector continues to increase, questions concerning the contribution they make to raising standards of attainment remain to be answered. This article reports evidence from a small-scale…

"On Teacher Inquiry" could be read as an answer to the question, "Teacher Research: What's in it for the students?" This new volume in the "NCRLL Collection" addresses the relationships among teacher research, teacher practice, and student learning. The authors observe, analyze, raise questions, design methodologies, and build relationships with…

Discusses the literacy problem in Britain, presents research on reading skills, and examines a variety of efforts to improve the reading skills of youngsters. (RB)

A study was undertaken to investigate the effects of one hypnotic session on the reading improvement of high-risk college students with low aptitude scores and histories of failure in academic situations. The 27 students in the experimental group participated in a one-hour hypnosis session in which they were given a procedure to follow for…

A comparison of a measure of crude gain with a measure of residual gain in individual reading improvement, as measured by the Nelson-Denny Reading Test, Revised, Form A and B administered to thirty-six college freshmen, showed the residual gain method to be the more reliable assessment of reading improvement. In addition, the residual gain…

Presents teaching ideas using the classified advertising sections of newspapers, noting that the ability to decipher classifieds ads is an important life skill. (SKC)

Shows that fifth and sixth grade social studies and science students using the Guided Reading Procedure devised by Anthony Manzo scored significantly higher on short-term and long-term retention tests than did students using other reading approaches. (FL)

Investigates whether reading ability improves when students read relatively easy library books. Compares reading achievement of students in grades three, four, and five who read books at either above or below their reading level. Finds no evidence that either group gained in reading ability. Notes that later empirical evidence indicated no actual…

Concludes that the extra attention paid to children during the administration of reading tests does not have a significant effect on test performance and that the Hawthorne effect does not influence reading test results. (RB)

Concluded that the reading-storage technique deserves consideration as an objective measure of the primary effect of reading. (RB)

Examines the results of the Schools Council study in Britain on children's reading habits and interests, concluding that the results need to be acted on if the reading of British children is to be improved. (RB)

Re Quest, a questioning strategy suited to upper primary grades, was found to arouse children's interest, improve their questioning ability, and increase their comprehension scores. (RBW)

The improvement of college students' reading rate and comprehension is a major educational concern. Many students arrive at college unprepared for the massive amount of required reading. This study presents several attempts to improve vocabulary, reading rate, and comprehension and addresses tangential issues related to the improvement of reading…

Concludes that oral reading should be encouraged as a possible means of improving the comprehension of disabled secondary school students. (FL)