State and school district testing activities involving basic reading competency requirements are discussed. The purposes of minimum competency testing in reading include the identification of students who need remedial assistance, and the evaluation of secondary school students regarding graduation requirements. Important considerations regarding…

This series of followup studies concerned mentally retarded rehabilitation clients of the Social and Rehabilitation Service research and development projects in the District of Columbia, and the Model Cities Project in Maryland. The clientele were primarily black, urban ghetto residents. The studies dealt with (1) vocational success of…

The role of Vermont state agencies in the development and coordination of eight projects funded under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is discussed. The eight special schools participating are listed, as are four out of state schools attended by Vermont children under the same Title. Consideration is given the following…

In this investigation, 270 ninth-grade students at Jefferson Junior High School in Columbia, Missouri, were tested to determine how well they comprehended the meanings of allusions in their required reading materials. Test results were compared with other objective data from school records to discern the extent to which the factors of sex,…

A research project investigated the effectiveness of the use of a tape recorder and taped lessons with accompanying worksheets for independent work activities in the 1st grade. An experimental group heard lessons on reading readiness, auditory perception, phonics, and reading skills, in addition to having regular instruction from the teacher. The…

A program of functional literacy, as an integral part of the program of Farmers' Training and Functional Literacy, is presented. Its objectives are: (1) to increase the attainment and use of literacy skills, and (2) to bring about the socio-economic change on the individual with particular emphasis on changes in agricultural production. The…

Designed to complete a cycle begun in 1946, the 1950 Service-Wide Testing Program examined: the progress and achievement made by American Indian students in various educational situations, and the factors thought to affect their educational development. Tests were administered to all students in grades 8 and 12 enrolled in day, mission, public,…

This paper begins by examining various aspects of children's and young people's reading ability and the new media, including children's media use and ownership, as well as multicultural aspects. The way public libraries see their role in the teaching of media skills is then considered, including well-developed reading ability as a prerequisite of…

This report summarizes the initial findings from the 2004-2005 evaluation study of the program titled Building Academic Vocabulary (BAV). The theory and research supporting the development of this program are articulated in "Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement" (Marzano, 2004). Briefly, the basic assumption underlying the BAV…

Recommends that drama be included in early childhood education, emphasizing preschool education. Cites research linking drama with enhanced language acquisition in children, ages 3-8. Emphasizes drama's effectiveness as a multisensory learning medium. Notes programs offering drama training for teachers. Suggests changes in teacher education and…

Examines the often experimental programs and approaches of the Australian Army Education Service pertaining to adult literacy during World War II. The article records the extent of numeracy and literacy difficulties in the 1940s, comments on army responses to the pedagogical challenge they posed, and finds interesting similarities to the current…

This article describes the Test of Early Reading Ability-2, an assessment that measures the ability of children ages 3 through 9 to attribute meaning to printed symbols, knowledge of the alphabet and its functions, and understanding of the conventions of print. Its administration, standardization, reliability, and validity are discussed. (Contains…

Data from the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey were analyzed in a study of the relationship between literacy skill levels and dependency on welfare. The study focused on the following: literacy levels in the welfare population and in different demographic groups, the relationship between educational attainment and literacy and labor force…

A practicum was implemented over an 8-month period to improve the literacy development of sixth-grade poor readers in a regular classroom. The primary goals were to empower sixth-grade classroom teachers in supporting literacy development, to strengthen the communication bond between parents and teachers, and to increase parental involvement in…

This bulletin examines some questions that arise when children are not ready for promotion: Should they be retained? Who decides? Are there alternatives to retention? What is the effect of retention on the student? Despite research limitations, those who examine the studies on grade repetition say they show that grade retention does not have a…