Smart Language is the story of the readability formulas, standard tools in education, government, and business. Early in the 20th century, education in the U.S. was confronted by a changing school population, especially an increase in the second generation of immigrants in secondary schools. In response, there was a new reliance on scientific tools for studying and objectively measuring educational problems. This effort engaged the best minds of the age, including Edward Thorndike, William Gray, and Edgar Dale. Their work led to the first readability formulas. In 1935, surveys revealed that...
Smart Language is the story of the readability formulas, standard tools in education, government, and business. Early in the 20th century, education i...
In the 19th century, educators discovered that books of a simpler style were better for teaching students to read. They began separating students into classes and grading books for different classes. Early in the 20th century, they discovered many adults had limited reading ability. Educators began looking for scientific methods for matching texts with readers. Some of the best minds in education dedicated themselves to this task, including Edward L. Thorndike, William S. Gray, Ralph Tyler, Edgar Dale, Irving Lorge, and Jeanne S. Chall. That story was briefly covered in a companion book,...
In the 19th century, educators discovered that books of a simpler style were better for teaching students to read. They began separating students into...
