A systematic analysis of the references to "scientifically based research" (SBR) and closely related terms, such as "peer-reviewed research" (PRR), in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) legislation, regulations, commentary, and case law reveal that SBR and its primary variants apply largely to state support…

The question of responsibility for the education of disabled students has become a controversial issue. This article explores the debate between proponents of special education and of mainstreaming for academically handicapped children. Under Public Law 94-142, disabled children are guaranteed an appropriate public education in the least…

This article describes the implementation of small-group reading instruction as secondary- and tertiary-level components of a three-tier model of prevention and intervention. The study consisted of 83 students who were targeted in the winter of kindergarten as being at high risk for reading failure. Intervention consisted of evidence-based…

The U.S. Secretary of Education describes the Department of Education's READ*WRITE*NOW! Initiative which aims to increase literacy rates by encouraging early and frequent reading as well as summer reading for children and youth, including those with learning disabilities. The need for a closer relationship between research and practice in reading…

Two studies examined response to varying amounts of time in reading intervention for two cohorts of first-grade students demonstrating low levels of reading after previous intervention. Students were assigned to one of three groups that received (a) a single dose of intervention, (b) a double dose of intervention, or (c) no intervention.…

The PASS Remedial Program (PREP), a word reading program which focuses on 4 major cognitive processes (planning, attention, simultaneous, and successive processing) was evaluated with 51 grade-4 children with decoding difficulties. The "global process" and curriculum-related "bridging" program components were separately and…

Subjects in this study were 69 fourth-grade students enrolled in a Chapter 1 program who received low scores on a standardized reading comprehension test in the spring of 1982. One group (n=35) received 15 minutes of programed reading tutoring each day throughout the 1982-1983 school year as a supplement to classroom instruction. The Houghton…

The researchers who conducted a study of the views of regular elementary teachers toward provision of special services through either "pull-in" or "pull-out" programs consider the researcher's role as change agent. The authors stress the timing of their research (with new legislation mandating consultant teacher services) and…

The "Failure-free" Reading Program was evaluated with 39 students (ages 8 to 12) with severe reading problems. The program involves previewing, listening, content presentation, reading, and reviewing. Improved performance in letter-word identification, word attack, comprehension, and dictation was evident after the intensive intervention.…

This article describes the application of experimental analysis methods for identifying reading fluency interventions for two elementary school students (fourth and fifth grade) referred for reading problems. For each student the experimental analyses examined use of rewards, instruction, and a treatment package containing both reward and…

Twenty at-risk first graders received 30 minutes of individual instruction from community tutors four days a week for up to 23 weeks. Subjects outperformed the control group on all reading, decoding, spelling and segmenting, and writing measures. Tutors who implemented the program with a high degree of fidelity achieved significant effect sizes in…

Evaluation of effects of parent tutoring in word recognition with flash cards with a slow learning seven year old found neither number of words read or frequency of errors was changed by the intervention, but subjective measures did support the intervention's effectiveness. Results suggest the need for parent training for effective home…

Contends that becoming literate involves the socialization of attention. Discusses two modes of socialization, revealing and telling. Concludes that the final evaluation of any language theory is relevance to classroom practice. (CFR)

Using case study methodology, this article describes the consultation process with an urban first-grade teacher who had many students experiencing difficulties with beginning reading. Core components and phases of the consultation process are described. The consultation process is discussed in terms of teachers' craving for concrete suggestions…

States that there is concern in Western nations that literacy rates are falling. Asserts Reading Recovery programs can reverse this trend. Reports on evaluation studies of Reading Recovery and contends that the short-term gains that result from Reading Recovery programs require further research. (CFR)