A review of (1) the Tutor-Student-System, (2) Initial Teaching Alphabet, (3) Words in Color, and (4) the Michigan Successive Discrimination Program (MSDP) is presented in this paper. (WR)

The review surveys published and unpublished reports of the use of the Initial Teaching Alphabet (i.t.a.) with several types of sensory handicaps. (Author/SBH)

A brief glance at traditional orthographies and the initial teaching alphabet points up the need for spelling reform. (RB)

Discusses scientific research on the orthography factor in literacy acquisition. First, an i. t. a. experiment was carried out in Britain, and the second study was a comparision of literacy acquisition in 14 different countries. (Author/RK)

Discusses a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Initial Teaching Alphabet as a medium for remedial teaching of those who were behind in reading ability by five grades or more. (JOW)

Concludes that i.t.a taught first grade students demonstrate no negative achievements characteristics in reading, language arts factors, or spelling when compared to their T.O. counterparts in the 10th grade year on standardized tests of achievement. (RB)

THE NATURE, FUNCTIONS, AND TRANSITIONAL STAGE OF THE INITIAL TEACHING ALPHABET (I.T.A.) IN BEGINNING READING IN THE UNITED STATES ARE DISCUSSED. THE MEDIUM, I.T.A., WAS ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED AS A TRANSITIONAL ALPHABET, OF WHICH SPELLING IS AN INTEGRAL PART. THE MEDIUM IS DESIGNED TO RATIONALIZE THE DECODING PROCESS AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDE A…

The following approaches to beginning reading were compared: (1) a basal reader program utilizing a whole word, carefully controlled vocabulary, and ability grouping procedures; (2) a phonics approach, with many different words, using essentially whole class procedures; (3) a combination whole word basal program supplemented with a phonics…

To make this report more readable for teachers and still present all the data, it was compiled in two parts: (1) Report to Teachers and (2) Technical Report. The investigation was conducted (1) to compare the longitudinal effects of the initial teaching alphabet (i.t.a.) and traditional orthography (T.O.) beginning reading programs through and end…

A case against using traditional orthography (T.O.) as a learning medium and in favor of using the Initial Teaching Alphabet (i.t.a.) is presented. The following points were noted: (1) Most children are taught to read as we and our ancestors before us were by an alphabet which is at least 1,000 years old and took its form from the convenience and…

The advantages of teaching beginning reading with the use of the Initial Teaching Alphabet (i.t.a.) and some of the questions which are raised pertaining to its use are discussed. The difficulties which many children experience in learning to read with traditional orthography (T.O.) are pointed out. These include the variety of patterns for any…

The British experiment with the Initial Teaching Alphabet was in its third year at the time of this report on the effectiveness of i.t.a. as a beginning reading program. Two groups of students were compared; one that started learning to read with i.t.a. and one that started with t.o. (traditional orthography). Reading and spelling tests were…

Teachers, principals, and other administrators who are considering the adoption of i.t.a. for language arts in the primary grades need objective information about its advantages and its disadvantages. The purpose of this paper is to provide a list of the disadvantages which may be inherent in the adoption of i.t.a. The disadvantages of i.t.a. may…