Describes a supplemental pull-out program that helped struggling first graders become independent readers who could participate more successfully in their classrooms. Describes in detail how small groups of children were taught using a 30-minute "literacy group" format offering a fast-paced, tightly structured, and well-balanced instructional…

Responds to an article ("On Balanced Reading") in the December 1998/January 1999 issue of this journal. Argues for a closer look and more evidence before committing to "balanced" models of literacy education. Discusses criticisms of Reading Recovery programs. (SR)

Replies to an article in this issue that responded to an earlier article ("On Balanced Reading") by this author. Argues that Welna's unbalanced coverage of research and critique is the very fuel that continues the Reading Wars. Argues that a study of past and present research can lead the profession to common ground. (SR)

This Project Information Package (PIP) has been designed to provide teachers with the information needed to teach in the Discovery through Reading Project, originally developed by the Clarkston School District in Michigan. The Project uses a modified tutorial approach for second- and third-grade students who encounter reading difficulties in their…

Questions the facilitative effects of Reading Recovery reported in an earlier article. Argues that differences between Reading Recovery and other treatments in level of teacher training and experience, and in actual time and use of time for instruction, may account for the differential effects of Reading Recovery over other treatments. Challenges…

Responds to an earlier article in this issue about the effectiveness of Reading Recovery. Suggests that achieving an instructional match between compared programs is nonsense. Argues that researchers need to address bigger questions in order to further understand complex, changing educational environments. (RS)

Responds to a response to an article in this issue concerning the effectiveness of Reading Recovery. Remains steadfast in assertion that alternative explanations exist for the findings reported in the original article. (RS)

Presents an excerpt from an observed 30-minute Reading Recovery lesson. Describes aspects of the Reading Recovery Program. Introduces the articles in this themed issue on learning, teaching, and learning to teach in the Reading Recovery program. (RS)

Describes a Reading Recovery case study involving a first-grade student who was at risk for learning how to read and write. Notes that this student learned to read strategically and was accelerated to the average band in her classroom after 81 Reading Recovery lessons, without first knowing the alphabet. (SR)

This article describes the Schoolwide Reading Improvement Model and its stages and application in the primary grades of two schools. The model assumes that reading improvement requires a multidimensional intervention based on research and integration of curriculum, instruction, and assessment and must build on the conditions and contexts of the…

Presents a case study in which one 9-year-old nonreader of English at a private school made progress in a 6-month remedial reading program. Describes strategies that may help other primary school teachers of English as a second language. Describes the process of instruction and highlights the implications of the findings. (SG)

A study examined the effectiveness of Reading Recovery programs at 36 Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS). Annually, approximately 500 "below grade level" students are given the opportunity to become independent readers through this program. Major findings are: (1) Reading Recovery students significantly outperformed students not in…

Considers if Reading Recovery students continue to make gains after discontinuation or the end of their programs. Investigates if a majority of the Reading Recovery students at Culver Elementary School, Evansville, Indiana achieve average reading levels at the end of their program. Concludes that Reading Recovery is successful at this school. (SG)

A study was conducted to determine if progress made by primary grade students in the Cranford Public Schools (New Jersey) placed in a Chapter 1 (formerly Title I) remedial reading program was reflected in their classroom performance in terms of (1) report card grades in reading, (2) maintenance of skills within the classroom, (3) placement in…

The state's role in reading instruction improvement in California is illustrated by the Miller-Unruh Reading Act of 1965 which aims to prevent and correct reading disabilities at the elementary school level and to provide funds and services for special reading instruction. It requires that the Stanford Reading Test be given in May each year to…