Does Distar Meet the Reading Needs of Inner-City Kindergarten Pupils? [microform] / Earl J. Ogletree.
Distar (Direct Instructional System for Teaching) was specifically developed to ameliorate the reading problems of inner city children. The program, developed by Bereiter and Englemann, is based on the assumption that disadvantaged children lack certain basic language skills, information and behavio...
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| Format: | Microfilm Book |
| Language: | English |
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[S.l.] :
Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse,
1977.
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| Summary: | Distar (Direct Instructional System for Teaching) was specifically developed to ameliorate the reading problems of inner city children. The program, developed by Bereiter and Englemann, is based on the assumption that disadvantaged children lack certain basic language skills, information and behavioral patterns, which prevent them from mastering the reading process. Distar's designers believe that their approach, which utilizes hand signals and physical commands, replicates the communication style of lower socioeconomic class mothers. Critics argue that the program is based upon assumptions of language inferiority, and also object to the rigidity of the approach. Results of the program have been mixed. One survey found that the majority of 22 teachers questioned felt that Distar was inflexible and needed to be modified, though they acknowledged that it saves them preparation time. Proponents of the system say that Distar pupils read at a higher grade level than those in other programs. This paper presents data from a study of 258 Chicago inner city, predominantly black, kindergarten children. Reading and mathematics scores of Distar pupils are compared with scores from pupils in the Eclectic Readiness Program (ERP). Findings show that the ERP children performed significantly higher in language and mathematics readiness than did the Distar pupils. The author calls for further comparative experimental research. (Author/GC) |
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| Item Description: | ERIC Note: For a related document see UD 017 513. ERIC Document Number: ED146303. |
| Physical Description: | 11 p. |
| Reproduction Note: | Microfiche. |
| Action Note: | committed to retain |