The Teaching of Beginning Reading by Use of the Initial Teaching Alphabet

Teaching beginning reading using the Initial Teaching Alphabet (i.t.a.) was experimented with in a project which had the dual purpose of (1) providing educators with the opportunity to observe the use of i.t.a., and (2) determining the effectiveness of i.t.a. with Mexican American bilingual children. Twenty i.t.a. demonstration classes representing various socioeconomic levels were established in the Stockton Unified School District and Tracy Public Schools in California allowing educators to observe the program. The second objective was accomplished by establishing 18 i.t.a. experimental classes and 20 Traditional Orthography (T.O) control classes. The same basal readers were used by both groups and both were administered the same array of tests. Results of the experimental i.t.a. group showed achievement significantly above the T.O. control group. However, it was concluded that it was to early to make any definitive conclusions regarding the use of i.t.a. with bilingual disadvantaged children and that a second year of the project should provide more definitive information. Tables are included depicting the results. This project was funded under Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (CM)