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A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF A COMPUTER BASED SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PARENTS TO USE IN REINFORCING READING SKILLS IN GRADES 1-6
Abstract
The Houston Independent School District developed and implemented a district-wide parent involvement program called "Operation Fail-Safe." Although the effort concentrated on basic skills improvement, the major emphasis was on supplementary reading instruction in grades 1-6. The computer was used as a communication and management tool in conveying information to parents about their child's achievement test scores, skill needs and reading interests. As a result of this program, which involved parent conferencing, home tutoring and competency testing, student achievement increased significantly at every grade level. Parent participation, as measured by attendance at school meetings, increased 32%. Most importantly, parent attitudes towards education improved as a result of the new communication channels that were established. The computer technology employed in the Fail-Safe program conserved teacher time and improved learner productivity by increasing time on task. The program addressed the need to: (1) supplement the developmental reading program through home tutoring; (2) minimize the teacher's paperwork burden; (3) use technology to improve productivity and contain costs; (4) ensure a long range commitment to the reading improvement effort through shared accountability; and (5) focus energies on the elementary level where the potential for academic intervention is greater.
Subject Area
Curricula|Teaching
Recommended Citation
REAGAN, BILLY REECE, "A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF A COMPUTER BASED SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR PARENTS TO USE IN REINFORCING READING SKILLS IN GRADES 1-6" (1982). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8306524.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8306524