Implementation fidelity is often thought of as a necessary condition to achieve internal validity and as having a relation to student outcomes. This relation is increasingly modeled; we reviewed reading intervention studies for students in pre-K-12 in which measures of implementation fidelity were included in final data analysis. A systematic…

Young students at risk for reading difficulties are likely to have long-term reading difficulties if they are not provided with evidence-based, supplemental instruction. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a Tier 2 reading intervention ("Reading RULES! Kindergarten;" RRK) and its promise to improve outcomes for kindergarten…

This study examined the impact of Oregon Reading First on student reading outcomes. Outcomes in schools that began Reading First implementation in 2003-2004 (Cohort A) were compared to outcomes in schools that began Reading First implementation in 2005-2006 (Cohort B). The primary hypothesis, that experienced Cohort A schools would outperform…

This pilot study examined an implementation of a kindergarten summer school reading program in 4 high-poverty urban schools. The program targeted both basic reading skills and oral language development. Students were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n = 25) or a typical practice comparison group (n = 28) within each school; however,…

A review of research indicates that current beginning reading practices typically emphasize discrete skills that fail to take advantage of young children's emergent literacy abilities. Suggestions for strengthening the match between young children's emergent literacy and instructional experiences are offered. (RH)

We examined the challenges faced by 4 high-need urban schools when trying to implement Success for All (SFA). We wanted to understand SFA instruction as well as how SFA fit into the larger school context. Over a span of almost 2 years, we observed 45 SFA lessons (21 complete and 24 partial) across the 4 schools, taught by 30 teachers. We analyzed…

Describes a four-year Follow-Through Research Project that investigates the effects of a comprehensive staff development program, based on Madeline Hunter's Instructional Theory into Practice Model, designed to improve instruction on student engaged rates and achievement in reading and mathematics. (Author/HOD)

Describes findings from a Madeline Hunter Follow-Through Project in two Napa County, California schools over a four-year period that explored the relationships between program implementation and elementary school children's achievement in reading and mathematics. (Author/HOD)

Evaluated the development and implementation of Questioning-the-Author, an instructional technique that focuses on reconstructing and extending author meaning, and on refining and using related discussion comments to construct new questions and develop more evidential insight. Found that teacher talk decreased in quantity and increased in quality.…