A study surveyed first-year community college students enrolled in remedial English reading, to determine the perceived benefits of a remedial reading class. The study was specifically designed (1) to obtain a profile of the student population, (2) to identify students' reasons for taking remedial reading, and (3) to identify the relationship of…

A review of National Assessment of Educational Progress findings presents a picture of the reading attitudes of a large segment of the American population, and of the relationship between reading attitudes and reading performance. The findings show that a negative attitude toward reading exists, and that it increases with each year spent in…

The case study of James, a semiliterate 16-year-old delinquent, illustrates (1) the importance of learners' language strengths, (2) the importance of learners' perceptions about the nature of assigned tasks, and (3) the need to examine reading instruction as a possible contributor to delayed literacy. When James was asked to tape record a story,…

A study was conducted to examine and describe the knowledge and beliefs of elementary school teachers and students regarding the acquisition of reading comprehension skills during reading instruction and the application of those skills during social studies instruction. One teacher and 26 fourth and fifth grade students were observed daily over a…

A study was conducted to determine what beliefs secondary school students held about reading and to compare those beliefs with a set of elementary school teachers' beliefs identified by G. Duffy and W. Metheny. Three hundred high school students from freshman, junior, and senior social studies classes completed a revised version of the 45-item…

An instrument measuring the attitude of young children (kindergarten through grade two) toward reading was constructed, using photographs, ambiguous as to detail, with each representing a different reading situation. Subjects, 166 white middle-class children, were directed to view each picture and indicate whether they liked, disliked, or were…

Evaluates an individualized reading program in which elementary school teachers prepared written prescriptions for students, targeting specific deficiencies for remediation. Finds that among students, preferences for independent modes of learning are significant predictors of positive reading attitudes. (MM)

A series of articles explores the role of the school library in generating reading motivation among students, and suggests strategies for changing student and teacher attitudes through cooperative programs with teachers, library activities, special activities for reluctant readers, learning strategies, and computer assisted instruction. An…

Concludes that teacher enthusiasm training is effective in increasing levels of observable teacher enthusiasm and that teachers so trained had an effect on their students' attitudes toward reading. (FL)

Concludes that an individualized instruction program using cognitive style provides sufficient additional developmental benefits to college students to merit further study. (FL)

This paper details a research project in Brunei Darussalam that explored vocational education teacher trainees' and their future students' views about the function of reading in vocational education and about reading in English. Part A, a review of current theoretical perspectives in literacy as a socially constructed phenomenon, is organized by…

Evaluated third graders' preferences for reading and writing tasks. Found that students frequently exposed to high-challenge tasks preferred them because they felt creative, experienced positive emotions, and worked hard. Those with less exposure to high-challenge questioned whether they had the appropriate metacognitive ability to complete them.…

Describes an extraordinary experience teaching comprehension strategies to fourth-grade reluctant readers through literature study. Notes how the experience was a fusion of three critical elements: an extraordinary group experience, a text that taught itself, and an instructional model that met the students' needs. (SR)

Argues that computer technology can help to engage struggling readers in meaningful transactions with text. Lists and describes seven web sites that will captivate reluctant readers. Notes three web sites that send students on "WebQuests" to transact with text in order to build knowledge. Discusses other ways to engage students in text via…

Offers practical suggestions for encouraging reluctant (and all) high school readers and writers. Advocates looking at student reluctance and motivation; understanding the process of reading; understanding that everyone learns differently; and that reading is a social act. Offers the response from a high school English teacher with a sampling with…