We are an international group of researchers who study reading development and interventions with struggling readers. This letter responds to a number of questions that have been raised by educators, policymakers, and parents about the effectiveness of Reading Recovery, a tutoring program designed for struggling first grade students. We hope the following summary analysis will be helpful to those who are considering the most effective ways to help struggling students become proficient readers.
StellalunaThanks for sharing Jimmy... but RRCNA responded to this letter 7 yrs ago when it first came out. Why don't you look at something more recent like the What Works Clearinghouse
On 3/15/09, Stellaluna wrote: > Thanks for sharing Jimmy... but RRCNA responded to this letter > 7 yrs ago when it first came out. Why don't you look at > something more recent like the What Works Clearinghouse
I have read responses from RR. They are playing catch up. RR seems to change due to criticisms about what it should provide not science. If it did make their changes based on science and research, they would not have began their program without the phonics piece.
This RR rep also said that they are concerned that the lack of fiscal support will undermine efforts to continue to "fine-tune" RR.
Then I ask, how is it that every other reading method has been able to fine tune itself without fiscal support? Orton Gillingham did it, Wilson did it, Language did it, a teacher who is well trained in various methods knows how to fine-tune her practice to meet student's needs.
That comment was propaganda to lobby for more money. That is marketing.
And about what Stellaluna said, unfortunately What Works only provides quantitative data. It does not discuss the merits of qualitative data.
As a result, the What Works recent rating of RR is worthless in providing a guide as to what works to address certain reading skills.
What Works looks at alphabetics, fluency and comprehension. All reading methods need to be tested using the *same* tests for each skill. This way we have the same basis for comparison.
On 3/15/09, Jimmy Kilpatrick wrote: > We are an international group of researchers who study > reading development and interventions with struggling > readers. This letter responds to a number of questions > that have been raised by educators, policymakers, and > parents about the effectiveness of Reading Recovery, a > tutoring program designed for struggling first grade > students. We hope the following summary analysis will be > helpful to those who are considering the most effective > ways to help struggling students become proficient readers.