DO GERMAN-SPEAKING CHILDREN HAVE A CHANCE TO OVERCOME READING AND SPELLING DIFFICULTIES - A LONGITUDINAL SURVEY FROM THE 2ND UNTIL THE 8TH GRADE

In a longitudinal study the development of reading and spelling abilit ies of 458 Viennese school children from the second until the eighth g rade was analysed. Although the students' level of performance display ed a great consistency with poor readers and spellers retaining their weaknesses, groups of students whose performance either improved or de teriorated with time were also identified. Not only cognitive prerequi sites, but also the classroom behavior of the students and social fact ors proved to be significant for the long-term prognosis.