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Focusing on future directions for English and reading research, the papers presented in this book examine the complex interplay of skills, processes, and classroom conditions that influence the development of children's competence in reading, writing, and the language arts. The titles and authors of the essays are as follows: (1) "Reading and Writing Relations: Assumptions and Directions" (James Flood and Diane Lapp); (2) "The Cognitive Base of Reading and Writing" (Stephen B. Kucer); (3) commentaries by Alan Purves and Julie Jensen; (4) "Thought and Language, Content and Structure in Language Communication" (Diane Lemonnier Schallert); (5) "The Design of Comprehensible Text" (Robert C. Calfee); (6) commentaries by Judith Langer and Robert J. Tierney; (7) "The Shared Structure of Oral and Written Language and the Implications for Teaching Writing, Reading, and Literature" (Miles Myers); (8) "Oral Language, Literacy Skills, and Response to Literature" (David K. Dickinson); (9) commentaries by David Dillon and Roselmina Indrisano; (10) "Research into Classroom Practices: What Have We Learned and Where Are We Going?" (Bryant Fillion and Rita S. Brause); (11) "Classroom Practices and Classroom Interaction during Reading Instruction: What's Going On?" (M. Trika Smith-Burke); (12) commentaries by Arthur N. Applebee and Dolores Durkin; (13) "An Examination of the Role of Computers in Teaching Language and Literature" (Bertram C. Bruce); (14) "Technology, Reading, and Writing" (Lawrence T. Frase); (15) commentaries by Johanna DeStefano, and Edmund J. Farrell; (16)"Organizing Student Learning: Teachers Teach What and How" (Jane Hansen); (17) "Assessing the Process, and the Process of Assessment, in the Language Arts" (Peter Johnston); (18) commentaries by Jerome C. Harste and P. David Pearson; (19) "Constructing Useful Theories of Teaching English from Recent Research on the Cognitive Processes of Language" (M. C. Wittrock); (20) "Themes and Progressions in Research in English" (John T. Guthrie); and (21) "Retrospect and Prospect" (James R. Squire). (JD)

When it comes to motivating people to learn, disadvantaged urban adolescents are usually perceived as a hard sell. Yet, in a recent MetLife survey, 89 percent of the low-income students claimed "I really want to learn" applied to them. What is it about the school environmentâ€"pedagogy, curriculum, climate, organizationâ€"that encourages or discourages engagement in school activities? How do peers, family, and community affect adolescents' attitudes towards learning? Engaging Schools reviews current research on what shapes adolescents' school engagement and motivation to learnâ€"including new findings on students' sense of belongingâ€"and looks at ways these can be used to reform urban high schools. This book discusses what changes hold the greatest promise for increasing students' motivation to learn in these schools. It looks at various approaches to reform through different methods of instruction and assessment, adjustments in school size, vocational teaching, and other key areas. Examples of innovative schools, classrooms, and out-of-school programs that have proved successful in getting high school kids excited about learning are also included.