Descriptions of models of the initial acquisition stages of reading development and of methods for teaching beginning reading are provided in this conference report which not only describes individual models and strategies, but also draws together and summarizes current thinking in this area. The models range from the behavioristic works of…

A study tested the instructional hypothesis that variation in instructional methods in the initial stages of formal reading development will differentially develop subsystems for attaining comprehension. The 91 kindergarten and first grade students in the study received their usual reading instruction plus supplementary instruction in one of four…