This study investigated the effectiveness of the READ 180 balanced literacy program in addressing the problem of low reading achievement among urban minority high school students. Research has shown low reading achievement to negatively impact academic and economic success. Holdaway's theory of natural literacy, which suggests reading instruction should be purposeful and realistic, supports READ 180 as a remedial intervention. The specific purpose of the study was to evaluate READ 180 in relation to improving classroom reading achievement, standardized language arts test scores, and graduation rates among students in a low-income, high-minority urban high school. Subjects were 2 cohorts of students consisting of 619 enrolled in READ 180 during the school year of 2007-2008 and 358 students enrolled in READ 180 during the school year of 2010-2011 at an urban high school in New Jersey. Following a goals-based program evaluation design, a paired difference t test was used to evaluate classroom reading achievement; a chi-square test was used to evaluate graduation rates; and a multiple regression analysis controlling for initial status was used to evaluate performance on the standardized language arts test. Findings indicated moderate improvement in classroom reading achievement, no improvement in graduation rates, and strong improvement in standardized test scores only for English learners. Results suggested that a balanced literacy program such as READ 180 may provide effective reading remediation for English learners in low-income urban areas, thereby promoting social change through increased academic success and upward economic mobility.

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) (Orthodontics) / Orthodontic treatment has the ability to improve the aesthetics and the function of patients. In order to create space, orthodontic treatment often requires removal of teeth. The most common teeth removed for orthodontic treatment are the premolars. It has become popular to remove second premolars in certain cases where the soft tissue profile should not be altered. The Damon self-ligating orthodontic system is renowned for not requiring dental extractions in the majority of cases. The effect of extractions on the soft tissue profile of patients, in conjunction with using the Damon system, has therefore not been researched. It is important to understand the effect that orthodontic treatment and extractions can have on the soft tissue profile of patients. This effect can accurately be determined by making use of the soft tissue cephalometric analysis, developed by Dr Reed A. Holdaway in 1983.

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