The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of parental participation in school on the assistance parents could give their children outside of the classroom. A Parent Involvement Program was developed in the Mesa, Arizona Title I schools to help raise the consistently low reading readiness scores of the kindergarteners in these schools.…

A guide for improvement of the developmental reading program, this publication was prepared by the State Reading Committee of the Oklahoma Curriculum Improvement Commission. The scope is kindergarten through grade 12. The first chapter deals with the philosophy, objectives, and characteristics of a developmental reading program. The concept of…

The major purposes of this study were (1) to determine if a listening comprehension test was as valid as a reading readiness test, a visual motor test, a group intelligence test, or an individual intelligence test in measuring the reading readiness of first grade pupils; and (2) to determine if a combination of two or more of these tests would…

The purpose of the study was to explore the possible effects of music activities, specifically singing and movement on certain reading test scores in beginning and pre readers in a Reading First school. Participants were 8 kindergarten and 17 first grade students (N=25) at a Reading First elementary school in an urban school district in the…

A review of literature by reading authorities identified seven criteria necessary for meaningful research about reading readiness tests. These criteria were then used in analysis of 15 research studies dealing with the "Metropolitan Readiness Test" and first grade reading achievement. Five major findings resulted from this analysis:…

The technique of factor analysis was used to explore the structure of five batteries of readiness tests (Gates Reading Readiness Test, Developmental Tests of Visual Perception, Metropolitan Readiness Tests, Specially Constructed Readiness Test by Olson, and Wechsler Intelligence for Children) as predictor variables for the Stanford Achievement…

The effects of microcomputer use on preschoolers' knowledge of pre-reading concepts and attitudes toward microcomputers were investigated. Seventy-seven preschoolers were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: (1) adult-assisted microcomputer instruction; (2) unassisted microcomputer use; and (3) no computer use. Analysis of pretest…

The Thackray Reading Readiness Profiles are the first original British reading readiness tests to be published and are the outcome of ten years of research in the field of reading readiness with British children. The profiles consist of three group measures and one individual measure, including vocabulary and concept development, auditory…

Describes and evaluates the Test of Awareness of Language Segments (TALS), discussing the test administration, scoring, interpretation, reliability, and validity. Recommends TALS for evaluating a child's readiness for reading instruction, and for suggesting appropriate instructional interventions. (MM)

Reviews the literature in the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). (RB)

Preschool children can learn to read in a way that is developmentally and culturally appropriate if they are presented with the necessary supports. Provocative activities, enrichment centers of excellence, and creating print-rich environments for young children are described. Includes a chart listing the critical elements of centers of…

Discusses whether to prepare the child for reading instruction, or tailor the reading instruction to the child. (RB)