Background: Beginning reading skills are often taught using phonics. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of phonics with typically developing students, but less research has evaluated this method with students with intellectual disabilities. Method: This paper evaluated the computerized phonics-based intervention Headsprout Early Reading®…

Raven Elementary teachers collaboratively adhered to a systematic reading program, administered frequent assessments, and their students' test scores improved over time. Our findings indicate that, though effective for improving certain outcomes, such a tightly designed and narrowly focused system created a limiting learning environment for…

The federal Reading First grant project began with the 2003-2004 school year. Since then, many schools have entered the program to take on the challenge of improving their reading test scores. The Reading First model of instruction has been used to help promote school improvement efforts throughout the United States, so that students may reach the…

This article systematically reviews research on the achievement outcomes of four types of approaches to improving the reading success of children in the elementary grades: reading curricula, instructional technology, instructional process programs, and combinations of curricula and instructional process. Study inclusion criteria included use of…

Article is an interview with Mary Austin, author of "The First R" and "The Torchlighters". (GB)

This pamphlet describes the Texas Reading Initiative, a comprehensive plan aimed at improving reading instruction in Texas and begun after a challenge was issued by Governor George W. Bush that each and every child must learn to read. It lists the 8 key elements that were established to guide the initiative (including increasing awareness of…

This book presents a transitional spelling system, called "Regularized Inglish," which the author proposes as an improved method of reading instruction in English-speaking countries. The system is a phonetic reading approach that eliminates the irregular spellings found in a large number of the most commonly used words in the English…

Describes ERIC documents pertaining to the role of parents in preparing their children to read and the ways in which they can help shape and strengthen a school's reading program. (FL)

Reviews the materials, techniques, and some of the schools involved in the phonics-based Alpha One reading program. (MB)

Television output in the United Kingdom is limited to three main channels. Two of these are controlled by a public corporation, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC); one is operated by a number of commercial companies under the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). Both the BBC and IBA have expanded their educational output in recent…

Developed for the America Reads Challenge Read*Write*Now! program, this tip sheet presents ideas and suggestions for strengthening efforts to help improve children's reading through community reading programs designed to keep children reading during the summer and after school. The tip sheet discusses building partnerships, recruiting volunteers,…

Twenty-four matched pairs of culturally deprived first grade children were divided into an experimental and control group to investigate the effect of special reading instruction on the reading ability of these children. The teacher who administered this special instruction was considered very competent, and the instructional content, although not…

This language arts curriculum guide focuses primarily on reading instruction for students in grades one, two, and three. The topics discussed in this guide include an introduction to reading; major steps in developmental reading instruction; suggested time allotments for the Ginn Reading Program; scope and sequence charts; a checklist for…

Embedded multimedia refers to teaching methods that embed video content within teachers' lessons. The research of Mayer and others has suggested that multimedia instruction can enhance learning by using the capacity of both visual and verbal memory systems. The present study is an evaluation of embedded multimedia in a year-long randomized…

This paper deals with the environment within the family structure and its relationship to literacy. The contents include: "Parent-Child Studies," which cites studies related to environmental influences on the development of reading readiness, parents attitudes and reading achievement, parent involvement and education, television and parental home…