IDENTIFIERS McAllen Independent School District TX; *Reading Recovery Projects

A study evaluated the effectiveness of the first two years of the Reading Recovery program at the McAllen Independent School District, Texas. Thirteen campuses participated in the first year (1991-92) while 16 campuses participated in 1993. In addition, the Literacy Program, designed to expand the positive effects of Reading Recovery strategies in a different format, was started at seven Chapter 1 campuses, where appropriate data from the first two years of the Reading Recovery program were contrasted. Results indicated: (1) students who completed the program in 1992 and 1993 had a high discontinued exit rate (89 % and 867.); (2) students served in the second year had a better than average chance of not being retained in the first grade; (3) all discontinued Reading Recovery students showed growth on a diagnostic survey; (4) Iowa Tests of Basic Skills scores for students in both years were in the second quartile instead of the bottom quartile as expected without intervention; (5) teachers, parents, and administrators felt the program was very effective; and (6) the program had a long-term cost benefit to the school, the student, and society. Fourteen figures of data are included with an appendix of data. (RS) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. examm11121