This article presents a technique that builds linear equations to approximate Fry's readability graph. A BASIC program building the linear equations and providing the grade levels is provided. (Author/YP)

Offers a critique of existing methods of assessing the human interest of basic writing textbooks, contending that most are abstract and subjective and that the more objective Flesch formula inflates texts' human-interest level. Advocates modifying existing formulas and guidelines. Suggests criteria (e.g., appropriateness of readability level) for…

This article suggests the following ways of making material easier for adults to read: using layout and print size to make meaning clear; making audio recordings and simplified versions of printed matter; and increasing the relevance of the content to the reader. Intended for teachers of adults in reading programs, the study also contains a…

Discusses elements other than reading level that can affect ease of understanding vocational materials. Groups these elements into four major areas: (1) vocabulary, (2) sentence structure, (3) organization (the way sentences are arranged into paragraphs), and (4) relevance (the way the author relates the topic to the reader's experience). (LRA)

This book offers study strategies and techniques which were originally used in resource rooms for students with mild disabilities but are appropriate for all students, all content areas, and all educational levels. The book is structured around the acronym SMARTS for the six action steps or skills covered: (1) Studying, (2) Memorizing, (3) Active…

In spite of their limitations, readability formulas can help teachers determine whether there are differences between students' reading abilities and the difficulty levels of the textbooks they are required to use. A study was conducted to assess the reading levels of students and the readability levels of textbooks at five selected junior…

Readability formulas can be useful tools in accomplishing their primary purpose--to give very general estimates of difficulty. Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of misunderstanding regarding their use, which has resulted in misuse and abuse. The formulas were designed to be applied post hoc to existing materials. They were not intended to…

Five contributors separately discuss (1) a formula for describing the anticipatory process in reading; (2) a combined reading, writing, and comprehension exercise that proved popular with rehabilitation students; (3) an adult education project involving reports on recreational reading; (4) limitations of the Fry Readability Graph; and (5) a method…

College students can read, but they often lack the prereading and postreading skills needed to help them think about and respond to what they read. A three-step plan can help students read and understand the text more fully. The first step entails using measures of fitness to determine: (1) the grade level of the text being considered and how it…

This guide outlines a model that adult educators can use to construct a test for their adult students, regardless of subject area, that is written at the students' reading level. The problems that written tests pose for trade and technical students in further education (FE) who have poor reading skills and the drawbacks of using commercially…

Provides step-by-step procedures for developing an index which uses the Gunning Fog technique to evaluate the level of reading difficulty of textbooks. Cites examples, illustrations, and several warnings in the discussion. (RT)

This handbook is intended to assist new home study directors of education, course writers, instructors, and others interested in home study course development. It contains 13 guides that were each written by practicing home study educators and experts in the correspondence study field and that together cover the complete course development…

Discussion of programs for analyzing the writing of students using word processors focuses on six categories of available software that can help to improve students' writing skills: error checkers, reformatters, audience awareness programs (including reader's needs and readability formulas), student conferencing utilities, grading utilities, and…

Offers suggestions on how to ask questions in a teacher/student reading conference, promote professional growth through the use of reading journals, produce a newspaper as a final examination, use modern music to teach reading and writing, and use content area textbooks to teach reading skills. (FL)

Some techniques or strategies and principles of organization can make the teacher's task of modifying or writing curriculum materials easier. This monograph provides a step-by-step guide for writing curriculum materials, whether approaching the problem from scratch or modifying that which already exists. Chapter 1 provides the rationale, and…