Discussion of the notion of readability focuses on predicting readability with computerized readability formulas. Semantic and syntactic factors are discussed, the development of readability formulas is described, and five commercially available computer readability formulas are reviewed, including the Readability Estimator, Readability Formulas,…

The major problem investigated was the effectiveness of cloze procedure as a predictor of a student's ability to comprehend social studies materials when compared with I.Q. scores, previous social studies grades, and standardized reading test scores. As a secondary purpose, the effectiveness of rewritten social studies materials as a means of…

The reading achievement test scores of 239 low-income, southern, urban black students in grades three through eight were compared with their ability to comprehend the social studies books used in their classrooms. Achievement scores were obtained from the reading subtests of the Stanford Achievement Tests. A cloze passage was developed based on…