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Indiana University Studies 



quently called upon to read orally in connection with many 

 class exercises. On the other hand, the pupil soon learns to 

 use reading as a means of securing ideas for himself, and he 

 substitutes silent study for oral reproduction. During the 

 larger part of his school life the progress which a pupil 

 makes depends primarily on his ability to read independ- 

 ently, rapidly, and intelligently during periods of silent study. 

 Furthermore, in most ordinary situations of life one reads 

 silently for the purpose of gathering ideas and not for the 

 purpose of oral exhibition. With this recognition of the large 

 importance of silent reading in mind, it is clear that a thoro- 

 going investigation of reading must be based on the results 

 of instruction both in oral reading and in silent reading. 



The facts upon which this report is based were secured 

 thru reading tests which were given to 4,780 pupils in six- 

 teen school systems of Indiana. In nearly all cases the tests 

 were given during February, 1917. In one or two cities, 

 however, the tests were not completed until the first week 

 in March. A list of the cities which engaged in the study, 

 together with the name of the superintendent in each case, 

 is given below. The cities are classified in three groups on 

 the basis of population. Group I includes small towns rang- 

 ing in population from 200 to 2,000; Group II, small cities 

 from 2,000 to 10,000 ; and Group III, larger cities from 10,000 

 to 70,000. 



In the discussions that follow the cities will be referred to 

 by number. Below is given the list of cities and the name of 

 the superintendent thru whom the work was carried on : 



Anderson W. A. Denny 



Brookville A. J. Reifel 



Cayuga H. E. Stalil 



Connersville E. L. Rickert 



East Chicago E. N. Canine 



Fort Wayne (Normal) Flora Wilbur 



Greenwood ' H. W. Marshall 



Metamora A. Lawrence Clark 



Noblesville A. C. Payne 



Richmond J. T. Giles 



Seymour T. A. Mott 



South Whitley H. L. Humke 



Valley Mills Everett Davis 



Wabash O. J. Neighbors 



Waveland N. J. Lasher 



Westport O. W. Holmes 



