In the News - Study Renews Debate Over Best Methods for Teaching Reading

The $1 billion-a-year Reading First program has no measurable effect on students' reading comprehension according to a major federal report by the Institute of Education Sciences. Participating schools were found to be spending significantly more time teaching the basic skills that researchers say children need to become proficient readers, however, this did not translate into higher reading test scores.

Click here to view "Reading First Impact Study: Interim Report"

Views from Around the Web - Differing Opinions on the Reading First Impact Study

Dr. G. Reid Lyon, former Chief of the Child Development and Behavior Branch at the National Institute of Health, considers many elements of the Reading First Impact Study flawed.

Click here to read Dr. G. Reid Lyon's views

Donalyn Miller, a 6th grade language arts and social studies teacher, sees the Reading First Impact Study: Interim Report as an accurate reflection of a flawed program that funnels money to select publishers, while ignoring proven pedagogical methods and failing to connect children with books.

Click here to read Donalyn Miller's views

Resources for Teachers - Using Computers to Teach Reading Comprehension?

Merit has just released the "Top 63 Tips to Improve Literature Instruction with Software." This free report will help teachers: support students with a range of skills and abilities; engage students in active learning; boost test scores to exceed state standards; and build critical-thinking skills.

Click here to get Merit's 63 Tips

Grants for US Educators - Reading/Writing/Technology Education Research Grants

The Institute for Education Sciences (IES) provides funding for education research through its many grant programs including the Read/Write research grant and the Education Technology research grant.

Click here to view Read/Write Research Grant Program

Click here to view Education Technology Research Grant Program

Recommended Reading - Raising the Grade: How High School Reform Can Save Our Youth and Our Nation

Written by Bob Wise, former governor of West Virginia and current president of the Alliance for Excellent Education, Raising the Grade describes the alarming cost of our long-time neglect of secondary education. At a time when technology and postsecondary education requirements are rising dramatically in the workforce, the literacy skills of adolescents are not keeping pace.

Click here learn more