Perceptual span training and reading achievement of school children.

To determine if a reading program of over 5,000 phrases would help students improve their reading skills and be a useful supplement to regular reading programs, 3 experimental studies were conducted. The phrasetraining program was designed to increase perceptual span and help students develop habits of integrative phrase reading. Ss were intermediate grade-school children and remedial readers. Comparisons between experimental and control groups significantly supported the use of the phrase reading program. Both reading comprehension and reading rate improved, depending on the criterion test employed. Reading gains were consistent for low, medium, and superior readers and were maintained in follow-up posttests.