Read‐alouds are a common component of literacy instruction. However, research on the method for providing read‐alouds is limited. To determine if there was a common set of implementation practices, the authors examined the read‐aloud practices of 25 teachers who were nominated by their administrators as experts. From these data, the authors identified several factors common to read‐alouds. The authors then observed 100 additional teachers to determine how common each of these factors were in read‐alouds.

State and district accountability systems are increasingly including retention in grade for young students who do not demonstrate adequate reading achievement levels. This article examines the research on the effectiveness of retention and other responses, including social promotion, and the growing parental practice of “academic redshirting” of children by delaying their entry into kindergarten. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

Close reading is a recommended instructional approach to meet the challenges of teaching complex texts. But close readings are more common in high school and college than in elementary schools. In this article, we identify the components of close reading that were developed after a group of elementary school teachers observed their colleges in high school. In addition, we focus on the modifications necessary to implement close reading in elementary schools.

This article focuses on the role of the special educator in an inclusive school. The authors review the development of a special education knowledge base and specific schools' change to an inclusive service delivery model. They then use that information to suggest that special educators' roles include instruction, assessment, curriculum, leadership, and record keeping.

A great deal of attention is being paid to the lack of reading and academic success for adolescent males. In this article, we discuss three structures in a school where boys read (and perform) as well as girls. When instruction is guided by inquiry, when teachers model their thinking while reading, and when book choices are honored, all students read more and read better. In this article, we present the voices of several students who share their thinking about these three curricular reforms.