SPECIFIC SKILLS: The Perceptual Training Series covers the visual/perceptual skills of: discrimination and association of pictures, geometric forms, word configurations, colors, letters, substitutions, deletion, spatial orientation, shapes, sizes, and figure ground. The Perceptual/Thinking Series is divided into six levels of difficulties and provides practice with: object memory, color memory, sequencing according to size, simple pattern analysis, picture classifications, picture absurdities, and figural transformations. In the Language Reading Series, the student is progressively introduced to vocabulary language principles, concepts, and basic sentence patterns.

DESCRIPTION: Zero to Five is a comprehensive, developmental reading program that may also be used in a diagnostic/prescriptive manner in a remedial program. The complete program includes two laser disks, several floppy disks, an instructional manual, and student workbooks. The total program consists of 580 lessons which begin with the pre-reading perceptual skills, continue into an initial reading prorgam, (Language/Reading) and gradually develops vocabulary, grammar usage, and other linguistic competencies found in grades one to five. The topics deal with life skills, science, and social studies. In the beginning, a student completes a diagnosis/placement test. Once the teacher determines the entry level, the student should progress through the entire program. The full-color lessons involve the student on a frame-by-frame basis. A test is included at the end of each set of lesson to be used for diagnosis, evaluation, or review. (Lessons vary from 30 to 50 frames per set.) In the Language/Reading Series, the test is followed by a story supplement to reinforce an extend the vocabulary. Language skills are also reinforced when the student works in the Student Funbooks. A student does not need to know the alphabet or possess any reading skills to begin this program. The instructional manual clearly identifies the content, purpose, vocabulary (where applicable), and behavioral objectives for each lesson. The management system titled, "View the Grades," allows the teacher to track the individual progress of each student.

EVALUATION SUMMARY: Zero to Five is an exciting program that offers many advantages to a classroom or remedial teacher. The cost is quite reasonable when one considers that the average grade level cost is less than $300. Each grade level contains over 60 lessons of extensive development and diagnostic material. It is a compact program to use, as all 580 lessons are included on tow laser discs. ZERO to FIVE makes it easy for the teacher to identify areas of remediation through the use of the Diagnostic Testing Series. However, it is most beneficial to the student to work through the entire program after the entry level is determined. In the Pre-Reading Series, the teacher must be available to provide specific directions. But in the Language/Reading, Science, and Social Studies Series, the student may work individually with a minimum amount of teacher assistance. The artwork and color graphics are excellent. It was orginally tested in elementary schools, but we found it to be quite successful with our beginning adult readers. The Perceptual Training and Thinking Series can be used effectively to remedy visual perception problems and to develop cognition, memory and convergent thinking in adults. I highly recommend this program for use in Special Education classes and in program for use in Special Education classes and in programs that work with Beginning Adult Readers or ESL students.