First published in 2001. This is a special issue Volume 5, Number 3, from 2001 of Scientific Studies of Reading that looks at the DNA of reading fluency in scientific inquiry accounts. The contributors offer a selection of essays seeks to establish that that fluent reading is plainly developmental and represents an outcome of well-specified sub lexical and lexical processes and skills developed for most children over a bounded period of pedagogical time, rather than in just the school setting.

Early literacy instruction typically emphasizes foundational skills--often at the expense of engaging young children in reading and supporting their comprehension of different types of texts. This book explains the essential elements of comprehension and shares a wealth of classroom-tested instructional practices. It presents developmentally informed strategies for scaffolding comprehension skills, using content to promote engagement, and implementing high-level discussions and writing tasks. Ways to teach and assess English learners and other diverse students are highlighted throughout. The book features explicit links to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as well as helpful reproducible forms. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

The essential guide to the science behind reading and its practical implications for classroom teaching in primary schools. Teaching children to read is one of the most important tasks in primary education and classroom practice needs to be underpinned by a secure foundation of knowledge. Teachers need to know what reading entails, how children learn to read and how it can be taught effectively. This book is an essential guide for primary teachers that explores the key technical and practical aspects of how children read with strong links to theory and how to translate this into the classroom. Bite-size chapters offer accessible research-informed ideas across all major key topics including phonics, comprehension, teaching children with reading difficulties and strategies for the classroom. Key features include: · Discussions of implications for the classroom · Questions for further professional discussions · Retrieval quizzes · Further reading suggestions · Glossary of key terms Christopher Such is a primary school teacher and the author of the education blog Primary Colour. He can be found on Twitter via @Suchmo83.

The general theme of this book is to present the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in test development. In particular, this book includes research and successful examples of using AI technology in automated item generation, automated test assembly, automated scoring, and computerized adaptive testing. By utilizing artificial intelligence, the efficiency of item development, test form construction, test delivery, and scoring could be dramatically increased. Chapters on automated item generation offer different perspectives related to generating a large number of items with controlled psychometric properties including the latest development of using machine learning methods. Automated scoring is illustrated for different types of assessments such as speaking and writing from both methodological aspects and practical considerations. Further, automated test assembly is elaborated for the conventional linear tests from both classical test theory and item response theory perspectives. Item pool design and assembly for the linear-on-the-fly tests elaborates more complications in practice when test security is a big concern. Finally, several chapters focus on computerized adaptive testing (CAT) at either item or module levels. CAT is further illustrated as an effective approach to increasing test-takers’ engagement in testing. In summary, the book includes both theoretical, methodological, and applied research and practices that serve as the foundation for future development. These chapters provide illustrations of efforts to automate the process of test development. While some of these automation processes have become common practices such as automated test assembly, automated scoring, and computerized adaptive testing, some others such as automated item generation calls for more research and exploration. When new AI methods are emerging and evolving, it is expected that researchers can expand and improve the methods for automating different steps in test development to enhance the automation features and practitioners can adopt quality automation procedures to improve assessment practices.

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Comprehensive yet succinct and readable, Literacy in Grades 4-8, Third Edition offers a wealth of practical ideas to help preservice and practicing teachers create a balanced and comprehensive literacy program while exploring the core topics and issues of literacy in grades 4 through 8. It addresses teaching to standards; differentiating instruction for readers and writers; motivating students; using assessment to inform instruction; integrating technology into the classroom; working with English learners and struggling readers; and connecting with caregivers. Selected classroom strategies, procedures, and activities represent the most effective practices according to research and the many outstanding classroom teachers who were observed and interviewed for the book. The Third Edition includes added material connecting the Common Core State Standards to the instruction and assessment of literacy skills; a combined word study and vocabulary chapter to help readers integrate these important topics in their teaching; more on technology, including comprehension of multimodal texts, enhancing writing instruction with technology tools, and teaching activities with an added technology component; added discussion of teacher techniques during text discussions, strategic moves that help students become more strategic readers. Key features: In the Classroom vignettes; more than 50 activities,some with a technology component; questions for journal writing and for projects and field-based activities; troubleshooting sections offering alternative suggestions and activities for those middle-grade students who may find a particular literacy focus challenging.

An updated test-prep study guide on California’s RICA (Reading Instruction Competence Assessment) including two model practice exams. California’s Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) test ensures that all candidates for Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials (meaning elementary school teachers) and Education Specialist Instruction Credentials (meaning special education teachers for all grades) possess the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively teach reading to students. All would-be California elementary school teachers and all would-be California special education teachers must pass the RICA. 13,000 exams are administered every academic year. This 3rd Edition includes subject review material for all five RICA domains and two model practice tests.

This book explores an area that has been somewhat overlooked in the literature to date – the current status and future trends of English education in Oman. It offers a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to the subject and explores areas of English education in Oman that have, until now, been little investigated. It explores these issues from a variety of perspectives: the professionalization of English teachers in the country; the implementation of novel teaching methodologies, curricula, and assessment approaches, into what are, in many ways, still very traditional education settings; the integration of learner identity into English language instruction; country- and culture-specific concerns with conducting research with Omani participants; the strategic demands of building stronger links between education and workforce needs; and developing learner autonomy and motivation.

The volume identifies critical issues and cutting-edge research in assessing children's reading comprehension.

"Subject Areas/Keywords: assessments, decoding, elementary, English language learners, fluency, literacy instruction, oral reading, primary grades, prosody, reading comprehension, reading expressiveness, reading methods, secondary, struggling readers Description: This accessible guide brings together well-known authorities to examine what reading fluency is and how it can best be taught. Teachers get a clear, practical roadmap for navigating the often confusing terrain of this crucial aspect of balanced literacy instruction. Innovative approaches to instruction and assessment are described and illustrated with vivid examples from K-12 classrooms. The book debunks common misconceptions about fluency and clarifies its key role in comprehension. Effective practices are presented for developing fluency in specific populations, including English language learners, adolescents, and struggling readers"--