Literacy development in the early childhood and elementary school years is critical for learning and the acquisition of other skills essential for educational achievement. Although schools typically assume the primary responsibility in developing children's literacy and reading skills, a holistic approach to overall literacy development requires…

Reaffirming that all students, regardless of home language or socioeconomic background, can and must have an equal opportunity to excel in reading, this booklet presents 10 recommendations that form the basis of a comprehensive and balanced reading program to help children in California learn to read. Recommendations in the booklet address: (1)…

Describes the diverse and extensive reading program at South Bay Elementary School in rural northwestern California, one of several school reading programs recognized by the International Reading Association as exemplary. Discusses parent and community involvement, schoolwide collaboration, and program results. (SR)

Describes various events and activities during Pine City, Minnesota's, "I Love to Read Month," which focused on a "Reading Railroad" theme. Lists 12 stories and 16 poems about trains that were used for oral presentations. (MM)

This booklet describes various components of the America Reads Challenge program, which will mobilize AmeriCorps members, skilled reading specialists, and trained volunteer reading tutors to ensure that every student can read independently and well by the end of third grade. The booklet begins with advice on how to get involved right now and…

This study examines how one Mississippi elementary school countered the growing trend toward minority isolation with the Community and Home Access for Mississippi Parents and Students project, which was designed to combat white flight, improve academic performance on standardized reading tests, and increase access to technology. Project components…

Outlines a major literacy initiative for urban children taking place in the Dallas, Texas Public Schools. Describes several different programs at the school district level aimed at family and community outreach, in order to create a literacy-education support system with primary care givers in the homes. (SR)

The Southeast Community Education Center is a nondenominational, elementary alternative school that enrolls up to 90 children on a first-come, first-served basis. It is intended to provide a community education center whereby the educational needs of minority group youngsters can be fulfilled in a true "community school." The total…

Twenty ideas to motivate reluctant young readers in kindergarten and elementary school classrooms are presented. The ideas include reading contests, prizes, classroom decor, and community involvement. (PP)

This address by the director of the Right to Read program presents a brief history of the effort, a discussion of the major goals, and a description of the means being used to reach these goals. The Right to Read program is an effort to insure that by 1980 no student will leave our schools without the skills of reading and writing. It is founded…

This report focuses on the planning stages and first and second years of operation of the Community Education Planning Project (CEPP) of the Ocean View, Merced Heights, Ingleside (OMI) Community Association. Curricular and program changes in the planning period in the seven elementary schools of the area envisaged the development of these schools…

A successful 2-year reading program in Atlanta, Georgia, is evaluated from several points of view and in various ways. The program involved changes in the physical plant, teaching techniques, instructional objectives, inservice education, and community involvement of the three participating elementary schools. Emphasis was on the improvement of…

Nine public schools in New Jersey, eight of which are in urban areas, are separately described as samples of schools with a high level of student achievement in the basic skills, and with demographic characteristics that are similar to those of schools with serious achievement problems. Eight elementary schools and one high school are included in…