An experiment in remedial reading

Abstract

Any attempt by public school teachers to do a piece of research and experimentation without shirking routine duties or getting help from outside sources seems noteworthy. Such efforts are necessary, however, for, unless laboratory methods are undertaken by those in actual contact with children, much of the value of new principles and techniques developed by the aid of foundation funds will be lost. Considered from this standpoint, the project in remedial reading undertaken by the faculties of Fair Street and Pryor Street Schools in Atlanta, Georgia, is unusual. That the initial steps have proved successful is established by the extreme interest taken in the work by both children and patrons. Much good has resulted in awakening the children to a consciousness of their ability to correct their own errors and in proving to the teachers that, under ordinary working conditions, they have developed greater skill in directing learning processes. A comparison of teacher load in the two schools on May 17, 1935, showed Fair Street School with an average of twenty-seven pupils per teacher, exclusive of kindergarten and ungraded classes, while Pryor Street School had an average of thirty-three. At the latter school, double classes, high and low sections of the grade in one room, added to the complexity of the situation, making it almost impossible for another division to be made on the basis of reading ability. It was decided, however, that the teachers of this school would take up the study and undertake as much remedial reading as possible. Faculty meetings were used to bring to light what other people had done and to share the information derived from various books and magazines on methods of teaching reading. The one that proved most helpful was Children Who Cannot Read, by Monroe.' This book was studied intensively and reports were made on all topics discussed by the author. Every teacher who gave a report had prepared it; few words were wasted and the meetings were very interesting, since they had a definite objective in view. Members of the administrative department of the Atlanta Public School System who came expressed approval and always made helpful comments. The various