Increasing the Academic Success of Disadvantaged Children: An Examination of Alternative Early Intervention Programs

Abstract

In recent years, two programs have gained national attention for producing significant and sustained effects on the reading performance of at-risk children. One is Reading Recovery which uses highly trained teachers and a systematic set of procedures to tutor first graders who are having difficulty learning to read. The other is Success for All which uses research-based beginning and intermediate reading programs, one-to-one tutoring, family support, and other elements to provide support for all students in the targeted elementary school. The present research examined the processes and outcomes associated with the implementation of these approaches in comparable first grade classes during one school year. Results showed that Reading Recovery strongly benefited tutored students, particularly on passage comprehension. Success for All was more beneficial for special education students and for students who were not tutored, especially on word attack measures. School climate and teacher attitude results also showed advantages of Success for All’s comprehensive approach in integrating the reading curriculum with family support and schoolwide restructuring.