A Survey of Selected Reading Practices and Inservice Needs in Georgia Schools.

A pilot study was conducted to determine the practices and perceived needs for inservice education of reading teachers in Georgia. A questionnaire was sent to individuals responsible for overseeing the reading programs for grades one through eight in 52 Georgia school systems; 37 returned it. Analysis of their responses indicated a need for training teachers in Georgia in the use of patterns of organization other than the traditional classroom organization of three ability groups and whole class instruction. The desire expressed by the respondents for a basic reading course may be the result of the fact that such a course is required for a teaching certificate in Georgia. The last major concern of the respondents, more courses in classroom management and organization, may be the result of the growing demands on teachers produced by back to basics movements, due process for students, mainstreaming, and competency-based teaching and testing. (JL)