In this study we examined the contexts and practices of 6 Vermont schools whose students met or exceeded standards set for performance on statewide reading tests administered at second and fourth grade. Demographic data on all elementary schools in Vermont were used in a cluster analysis to identify schools serving low-, middle-, and…

The longitudinal impacts on school change and student achievement of implementing varied Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) models was investigated in 12 elementary schools in diverse geographic locations. Each school was individually matched and compared to a demographically similar control school on measures of school climate, teacher…

Unfortunately, the current popularity of questioning strategies has led to their widespread excessive and/or exclusive employment in evaluating reading comprehension. An approach in reading instruction which utilizes both verbal and nonverbal communication for assessing comprehension contains several unique features that provide for the…

This paper acquaints the classroom teacher and researcher with the cloze procedure as a multipurpose tool. The cloze procedure is discussed as a measurement, diagnostic, and instructional instrument. In particular, the advantages and disadvantages of the cloze procedure for each of these purposes are considered. Cloze passages, their construction,…

This paper, from the Workshop Center for Open Education, deals with the problems of recognizing and dealing effectively with reading difficulties. The introductory sections explain the problems of identifying the poor reader and define the concept of reading. The next section investigates the following biases that are prevalent in reading tests:…

Contains a short test of reading comprehension that encourages students to use common sense and powers of perception when studying reading. (RL)

Describes research about and teaching techniques for test-taking skills. (MKM)

Explains how a microcomputer can save a classroom reading teacher's time by producing, administering, and scoring cloze tests. (AEA)

Suggests that teacher observations form a valid and integral part of student assessment and that, in addition to standardized tests and informal tests, this "inner-ocular technique" is an important means for assessing the effectiveness of reading instruction. (MKM)

Educators are under increasing pressure to raise student achievement on state-mandated exams, and they are at the same time expected to increase the use of technology in their classrooms. Although the number of classrooms incorporating computers has increased, technology integration has been less than successful. The purpose of this study was to…

A COMPARISON WAS MADE OF FOUR DIFFERENT METHODS OF TEACHING BEGINNING READING. THE PROGRAMS STUDIED WERE (1) AN ECLECTIC, "WHOLE WORD" READING PROGRAM PRESENTED IN SCOTT, FORESMAN PUBLICATIONS, (2) A "PHONIC" READING PROGRAM PUBLISHED BY J.B. LIPPINCOTT, (3) A COMBINATION ECLECTIC, "WHOLE WORD - PHONIC" READING…

Teachers must know and understand kids, their language and the reading process in order to help them. (Editor)

The purposes of this study were to determine which test instruments should be used to report instructional and independent reading levels to tutors or classroom teachers and what recommendations should be made concerning the materials to be used for teaching the child. The subjects were children from grades two through ten who had been identified…

This paper suggests several techniques and instruments which can be used and/or adapted for classroom use to gather diagnostic data on each child's reading levels and reading skills. The contents include: a look at some of the factors which impede a teacher's development and use of skill in diagnostic procedures for reading; a discussion of some…

These two reports discuss remedial classes at the community college level. The first describes a series of tests that had been administered indicating the students had both perceptual and visual problems which interfered with their learning: the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, the Purdue Perceptual Motor Survey, and the Frostig Visual Perception…