Recommends the use of a combination analytic-synthetic approach to phonics instruction, preceded by pretesting to determine the student's stage of phonic skill development. (RW)

Uses a naturalistic setting to explore the effects of word-recognition instruction by a context method and a word-alone method to find out if mode of assessment plays a part in determining efficiency of methods. (HOD)

Differences between learning disabled and nonlearning disabled children's paired-associate learning can be eliminated by using instructional modifications. Procedures that reduce the "overloading" of the learning disabled students' cognitive processes have positive effects on associative learning. (CJ)

The effects of color on the reading recognition and comprehension of 3 students (ages 10 to 11) with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were assessed in 2 studies using a single-subject design. Color did not enhance sight-word learning; however, for longer reading comprehension tasks, color had an immediate positive…

When 16 children (ages 5-7) with specific language impairment (SLI) and 16 typical children named age-appropriate objects, the SLI cohort made more naming errors. Drawings and definitions of error items were poor. Eleven participants with SLI who participated in a forced-choice recognition task demonstrated significantly lower performance on…

The study compared two versions of a computer program designed to increase sight-word reading vocabulary with nine reading disabled students, mean age 10 years 7 months. Although both versions were equally effective in improving speech and accuracy of reading words, the version requiring typing was more effective in increasing spelling accuracy.…

A progressive time-delay and a trial-and-error strategy were compared in teaching sight word acquisition to two children with severe behavior disorders. Observational learning was also studied. Results found direct and observed instruction both effective, and progressive time delay somewhat more effective than trial and error. (Author/PB)

Submits that children recognize their first words in a different way than they later decode. Compares the hypothesis that sight words are recognized as wholes to the hypothesis that sight words are recognized as parts. Finds support for the idea that first words are recognized by "selective association." (BS)

Four elementary-level students with moderate mental retardation were taught to read sight words using a progressive time-delay procedure. All students acquired their target words and at least 50 percent of the incidental and observational words and definitions to which they were exposed. (Author/PB)

Evaluates the effectiveness in enhancing young children's reading attainment by a computer system that gave prerecorded speech prompts on request. Finds that the intervention group made significantly higher gains on three measures of sight vocabulary than the control group. Suggests that some effective practice in reading can be given by a…

This investigation examined the effectiveness of a computer program in teaching sight word recognition to four young children with developmental disabilities. The intervention program was developed through a formative evaluation process. It embedded a constant-time-delay procedure and involved sounds, video, text, and animations. Dependent…

To evaluate the usefulness of two DIBELS subtests (Phonemic Segmentation Fluency and Nonsense Word Fluency), 107 kindergartners and 101 first-graders who had taken the DIBELS were given a writing-of-words task and the Slosson Oral Reading Test of sight words. In addition, the 1st-graders' DIBELS included an Oral Reading Fluency subtest that…

PCI Education sought scientifically based evidence on the effectiveness of the "PCI Reading Program--Level One" for students with severe disabilities. During the 2007-2008 academic year. Empirical Education conducted a randomized control trial (RCT) in two Florida districts, Brevard and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. For this…

This guide begins with a story about the parents of twin kindergartners. The story models ways in which the parents of Mike and Chris help them learn to read, such as reading the newspaper together with them and asking them questions about the books they are reading. Included is another short story parents can read with their child, and a list of…