Intended to help dispel several unsupported "myths" about reading instruction, this book analyzes a selected group of teaching practices that have been supported by reading experts but not by research findings. The "myths" discussed in the first 12 chapters of the book are as follows: (1) phonics hinders comprehension; (2) unpredictable spelling…

The content and utility of two models of reading comprehension tests, the basic skills assessment model and the multiple choice cloze (MCC) model, are discussed. The basic reading competency model assesses the ability to read or infer "basic" meanings from a range of written or symbolic communication, as is necessary for daily living in…

This 30-item annotated bibliography provides access to information concerning the development and use of tests and procedures for evaluating student attitudes toward reading. Based upon a computer search of five data bases--Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Psychological Abstracts, Exceptional Child Education Abstracts, Sociological…

Traditionally, studies of beginning reading have focused either on between-subjects' differences or on changes in reading performance characteristics induced by specific training procedures. A third approach to reading is a within-subjects' comparison of individual performance characteristics at varying difficulty levels. The present study…

Committees on Content Analysis and Correlation Studies were appointed by the Alabama State Superintendent of Education to provide information regarding the similarities and differences between the Californa Achievement Tests (CAT), Levels 13-C and 16-C, and the Alabama Basic Competency Tests (BCT), grade 3 and 6. The major purpose of these…

The technical characteristics of the reading criterion referenced tests administered to pupils in grades 4, 8, and 11 as part of the Louisiana State Assessment of Reading are described. Fourth and eighth grade tests include vocabulary, phonetic and structural analysis, comprehension and study skills; eleventh grade tests include vocabulary, word…

This paper reports an investigation of inferencing in Form Five of the Reading Comprehension component of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. The first step in the investigation consisted of an analysis of the language of the test to determine how the inferencing strategies employed might serve to mask answers. This preliminary analysis suggested that…

A school psychologist describes techniques and approaches to accurately assess students' reading skills and determine what materials and methods should be used for instruction. Among formulas considered for estimating reading expectancy are mental grade and years in school formulas. Research is described which indicates that school psychologists…

The matching cloze format used in constructing the reading comprehension parts of the Micronesian Achievement Test Series (MATS) is described as a holistic approach which measures skills comparable to those needed by English as a second language students in actual reading situations. Kenneth Goodman's theory about the strategies used by good…

The extent, causes, and importance of context effects on item parameters for one- and three-parameter latent-trait models were examined. Items were taken from the California Achievement Tests Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Concepts and Applications subtests. The reading items were administered to 1,678 fourth-grade students, and the…

The papers in this collection represent a wide spectrum of approaches, philosophies, viewpoints, and techniques of scholarly endeavor in their treatment of the reading process. The 55 papers, which were presented at the 1978 meeting of the National Reading Conference, are arranged according to the following categories: (1) reading readiness, (2)…

Focusing on research and evaluation in college reading, the papers in this volume were drawn from the ninth annual meeting of the National Reading Conference held in 1959. Among the topics discussed in the 19 papers are the following: a proposed model of reading comprehension, factors affecting reading test performance, student attitudes toward…

Two chi square techniques were applied to identify culturally biased items on the Reading Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension sections of the California Achievement Tests. Subjects were 1,035 Mexican Americans and 2,474 Anglo Americans in grade 7. Eight items appeared biased against Mexican Americans, but not Anglo Americans; seven occurred in…

In an evaluation of a language arts program for oral and written facility and comprehension among children of an urban culture, 262 children in kindergarten comprised the experimental group, and 369 students served as controls. Children in both groups were presented with three pictures and instructed to tell a story about each. Observers rated…

An outline is presented of the instructional objectives for Spanish reading measured by the Austin Independent School District's Spanish Criterion Referenced Test (SpCRT). Available in six levels from kindergarten through fifth grade, the test is referenced to the Spanish materials available and the instructional activities for Spanish reading…