Describes how one Maryland school district overhauled its total approach to reading instruction and rescued its struggling students. The problem was more one of poor system design than poor instruction. The research-based intervention was a hybrid of reading recovery and phonics. From 1999-00, the rate of fifth graders reading below grade level…

Irreverently examines Rudolph Flesch's theories for teaching a child to read "properly." Alternatives to Flesch's method are also given. (HTH)

The recent findings on the prevention and remediation of reading failure are overlooked. A multitiered approach involving high quality classroom instruction and small group interventions can substantially reduce the proportion of students who struggle to read.

This study reports the results of a peer-mediated intervention, total class peer tutoring, on the academic performance of six urban students at risk for reading failure. A multiple baseline design across subjects was used to evaluate the effects of this intervention. The results showed that five of the six students significantly increased their…

This study examined the heterogeneity within a sample of 140 urban second and third graders identified as at-risk for reading failure due to inefficient word and/or nonword reading. Cluster analyses were conducted using standardized factor scores from a four-factor structural equation model characterizing reading performance in this sample. These…

Reports the findings in two dyslexic brothers each of whom showed a marked improvement in reading facility when reading print material either through a semitransparent tinted plastic sheet (overlay) or through tinted spectacle lenses. (MG)

This applied dissertation was designed to evaluate a Reading Recovery program at an alternative school in Florida. The Reading Recovery program was used as an intervention for improving students' reading skills and performances on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) that is given each year to students in Grades 7 and 8. The…

This book is a journal of lessons that were compiled as the author tutored a nineteen year old with severe reading problems. The interaction of tutor and tutee includes not only the pedagogical aspects of their relationship, but also the friendship that developed. (WR)

Argues that dropout prevention programs which promote reading success while keeping students on grade level must begin early and be staffed by teachers who believe they can make a difference and who foster positive self-concepts in their students. (MG)

Discusses what it would take to end reading failure in the U.S., examining what is already known, looking at the problem of early reading, and presenting a comprehensive strategy for reading by age 9 that involves dissemination of existing best practices, basic and applied research on beginning reading, and development and evaluation of new…

This study examined interaction between speech perception and lexical information among good- and poor-reading 7-year-olds. Findings suggest that lexicon may operate as compensatory mechanism for resolving speech perception ambiguities. Statistical correction for group differences in phoneme identification eliminated differences in phoneme…

A PILOT PROGRAM IS BEING CONDUCTED AT HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY IN HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK, THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF ITS READING CENTER AND HISTORY DEPARTMENT. THIS COORDINATED HISTORY-READING PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE FRESHMEN WAS DEVELOPED TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSES OF STUDENTS' DIFFICULTIES IN A COURSE REQUIRING EXTENSIVE READING, TO ANALYZE THE CONTENT OF A…

This paper reports on an innovative approach to the teaching of reading. The thrust of the approach lies in application of findings from Meeker's research which since 1963 had identified certain clusters of Guilford's Structure of Intellect and intellectual abilities found to be necessary in the process of learning to read. Several programs are…

The purpose of this handbook, which was developed by the National Reading Center, is to bring to each child who is having trouble learning to read a trained tutor to give him the right kind of help. Sections are given to explaining some characteristics of children who have reading problems, outlining some general principles of successful tutoring,…

Before reading teachers can be held accountable, batteries of diagnostic tests measuring the whole range of language characteristics must be developed and incorporated into school programs. (JH)