The present study investigated whether (a) growth patterns related to cognitive processing (working memory, updating, inhibition) differed in subgroups of children with reading disabilities (RD) and (b) growth in working memory (executive processing) predicted growth in other cognitive areas, such as reading and math. Seventy-three children (ages…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether integrating encoding instruction with reading instruction provides stronger gains for students who struggle with reading than instruction that includes little or no encoding. An instructional design model was investigated to best fit the data of 175 first-grade readers at risk for reading…

Two experiments investigated learning disabled children's ability to predict and evaluate their own decoding performance. Results tentatively suggested that when words were individualized in this manner, LD children were as competent as non-LD children in predicting and evaluating their own performance. (Author/CL)

Reading disabled adolescents with specific learning disabilities were compared to normal adolescent readers and young normal readers (total N=48). Results showed that context facilitated both decoding and meaning recognition for normal readers, and reading disabled adolescents showed deficits on both tasks. (Author/CL)

The inferential word decoding skills of 24 reading disabled elementary level boys were compared with those of boys with attention deficit disorders/hyperactivity but not reading disorders and with nondisabled boys. Results lent support to the importance of providing explicit instruction in decoding skills, especially for younger reading disabled…

This article discusses the need to teach decoding to secondary students with reading difficulties using one of three approaches: reading segmented words part by part; decoding different syllable types; or using a flexible strategy for reading long words. It also stresses the need for reading practice and research-validated programs. (Contains…

The article examines assessment of phonological coding skills (considered important in in acquiring early word-reading skills) in young children. Although tests of memory span for digits, words, or letters are most commonly used, a combination of tasks including naming-rate and articulation-rate tasks are suggested. (Author/DB)

The role of subvocalization in 12 learning disabled (LD) adolescent readers' comprehension difficulties was studied. Nondisabled and LD readers were compared on silent reading and listening comprehension of noun lexical, verb lexical, semantic, and inferential sentences under conditions of suppressed and nonsuppressed subvocalization. (Author/SW)

This training study combined within-subjects (N=12) comparisons of several literacy tasks with individual case studies of first and second graders with dyslexia over a five-month reading intervention. Training focused on phonological awareness, letter-sound associations, and guided reading. The children made significant gains in standard scores on…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a phonologically based reading program delivered to first- through sixth-grade impaired readers (N=115) in small groups. Post-tests after program completion found the program resulted in significantly better phonological awareness, decoding, reading accuracy, comprehension, and spelling. Improved skills…

Two studies evaluated the Process-Based Reading Enhancement Program (PREP) with 150 grade 4 economically disadvantaged children. Pre- and posttesting with the Word Attack and Word Identification subtests of the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests-Revised found significant group-by-time interactions. Results support the efficacy of the PREP to improve…

A case study with two Finnish 10-year-old boys evaluated an intervention designed to promote the spelling skills of students with severe writing difficulties. The intervention comprised strategy instruction, procedural facilitation, and computer-assisted tutoring. Participants showed gains in spelling accuracy, spelling revision skills, decoding…

Using a multiple baseline across students design, the effects of an integrated picture mnemonic strategy on the letter-sound acquisition of three transitional first-grade students with special needs were investigated. Follow-up data indicated the method was an effective instructional technique and that results were maintained over time. (Author/DB)

This study compared the use of two supplemental balanced and strategic reading interventions that targeted the decoding, fluency, and reading comprehension of upper-elementary and middle school students with reading disabilities (RD). All students had significant delays in decoding, fluency, comprehension, and language processing. Two comparable,…

Using an extant database, we examined three grade 1 criteria for identifying response to intervention (RTI) in English language learners (ELLs): (a) set benchmark criteria with a standard score above 95 (37th %ile) on both decoding and comprehension measures and a raw score of 40 or more correct words per minute (CWPM) on oral reading fluency; (b)…