A Study of Retardation and Special Instruction in Reading

Abstract

The study reported in this article was undertaken in the interests of the Committee on Retardation appointed by William J. O'Shea, superintendent of schools in New York City. The function of the committee was to find a way to decrease the amount of retardation in the public schools. In May, 1930, all the children in Grades I A-IV B, inclusive, in Public School 208, Brooklyn, were given group tests of intelligence and reading attainment. The group intelligence tests used were the National Intelligence Tests; the Haggerty Intelligence Examination, Delta I; and the Detroit First-Grade Intelligence Test. The group tests of reading attainment selected were the Gates Primary Reading Test; the Gates Advanced Reading Test; the Haggerty Reading Examination, Sigma I; and the Thorndike-McCall Reading Scale. On the basis of their scores on the group intelligence tests, their scores on the tests of reading attainment, and the teachers' estimates of their ability, the children were grouped homogeneously for the September semester.