Investigates the learning of a preservice student in a field-based, literacy methods course. Finds that what counted as her situated learning was how she saw the use of certain literacy practices to be appropriate in the situation of her work, and how she saw her instructional decisions to be a means for achieving her emerging standards for good…

Investigates young children's opportunities to socially construct literacy during "story extension time." Finds that story extension time afforded the children with occasions to accomplish key purposes of literacy development and construct concepts about literacy. Notes children took the following identifiable stances toward the tasks: deliberate…

Offers an extended discussion of poverty and class in America. Explores definitions of class and the government's role in the maintenance of poverty and wealth. Presents alternative explanations for the causes of poverty in the United States. Brings into question the functionalist axiom that literacy is a tool for school and economic success. (RS)

Analyzes effects of using carefully assisted case studies to prepare preservice teachers to be more knowledgeable and skilled in supporting children's response to literature. Finds that, over time, preservice teachers' question types shifted in amount and content, moving from teacher dominance to child-teacher dialogue. Notes teachers became more…

Reports the results of a series of peer group discussions with adolescent mothers enrolled in a family literacy program. Finds that literacy was seen as important because it served as a tool to address economic and social concerns; and parents' goals for themselves focused on independence, being a role model to their children, and self-respect.…

Examines the construct and action validity of the use of simple checklists to assess the declarative knowledge component of adult's literacy by telephone. Finds significant relationships among knowledge when assessed either by listening (telephone) or by reading (mailed questionnaire) modality. Concludes that the telephone method may provide a…

Compares spelling errors of 195 child and 124 adult literacy learners. Finds a similar developmental pattern occurring in both child and adult spellers especially at the early spelling levels; and that adults were better at identifying visual patterns and understanding some word concepts. Lends support to the theory that adult spelling…

Investigates effects of the Success for All (SFA) program on elementary school students' reading achievement in 4 cities. Finds greater achievement for students in SFA classes at 3 sites, especially for students achieving below the 25th percentile, relative to students in control classrooms, but effects were not as strong and consistent as in the…