Comparing instructional models for the literacy education of high-risk first graders

Examined the effectiveness of Reading Recovery as compared with 3 other instructional models. Treatments included a treatment modeled on Reading Recovery provided by teachers trained in a shortened program, a one-on-one skills practice model, and a group treatment taught by trained Reading Recovery teachers. 403 lowest achieving 1st-grade readers were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 interventions or to a comparison group. Reading Recovery children performed significantly better on 4 measures (dictation, text reading level, Gates-MacGinitie, and Woodcock) than any of the other treatment groups and the comparison group. A macroanalysis of videotaped lessons revealed that essential program components related to success were one-on-one lessons, the lesson framework, and the Reading Recovery teacher staff development model. (French, Spanish & German abstracts) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)