[Practice in spelling in remedial groups--results of an evaluation study in secondary education]

This study aims to evaluate in a school-based tutoring setting a training program for spelling (Marburger Rechtschreibtraining) that has proven effective in non-school settings. A spelling training program already in use at the school serves as the control condition.

A total of 37 second- and third-graders rated by their teachers as spelling disabled participated in the study. In addition to their regular lessons, the children received two added lessons in small tutoring groups each week.

The skills of the children in the tutoring program had increased significantly two years later regardless of the method used. This effect was confirmed both by tests as well as by teachers' and parental reports. However, the children's emotional attitudes towards school failed to change significantly. The control group that had received no tutoring improved as well.

Tutoring spelling disabled children in small groups is an effective method for improving their reading and spelling abilities. Nevertheless, the fact that the skills of children in the control group without any tutoring also improved raises a number of questions. The choice of method in our study had no effect on the outcome. Our study was unable to systematically evaluate a number of potential influences (such as sample selection); these should be investigated further.