In this essay, we review and comment on three books that focus on language, literacy, and visual and cultural communication: "English as a Local Language: Post-Colonial Identities and Multilingual Practices" by Christina Higgins; "Literacy and Power" by Hilary Janks; and "South African Visual Culture," edited by Jeanne van Eeden and Amanda du…

This interpretive study explored the qualities of six high-performing schools that served low-income South African students. The theoretical framework and methodology derived from research on effective schools conducted, for the most part, in the United States. Data consisted of interviews and classroom observations over the course of two…

Explores more deeply the role of oral reading in instructional practice, primarily in the elementary grades and with students who struggle in reading. Attempts to conceptualize more fully the positive role oral reading may play in classroom instruction, notes ways in which some persisting forms of oral reading practice in classrooms are counter to…

Presents a modified replication of Austin and Morrison's classic 1963 study of the status of U.S. public school elementary reading instruction. Discusses how school and classroom libraries in the 1990s are more prevalent and better equipped, and how changes in programs and philosophy are common in the late 1990s, unlike in the 1960s. Appends the…

Examines, in four Texas districts, changes in teacher practices related to adoption of the new literature-based basal programs. Surveys over 250 teachers statewide; focuses on 14 teachers in depth. Finds (1) teachers changed practices from year one to year two; (2) teachers' epistemological orientations determined how they responded to changes in…

High school students who read poorly were given reading training using programed prose (a conversion of regular reading material to training material). Each student was given 50 to 70 hours of individualized instruction on a PLATO terminal. Measures of gain in reading ability varied according to the test given. (MKM)

Reveals important relationships between miscue-related behaviors and teacher verbal feedback patterns. (FL)

Discusses the outlier paradigm, then (1) reviews some major studies in reading program effectiveness at the elementary school level that have followed the paradigm (2) synthesizes findings from these studies into what they suggest are the key elements of effective reading programs (3) offers some critical commentary on the studies in question and…