IRA OUTSTANDING DISSERTATION AWARD FOR 1998 - THE CONSTRUCTION OF LITERARY UNDERSTANDING BY FIRST AND 2ND GRADERS IN RESPONSE TO PICTURE STORYBOOK READ-ALOUDS

THE INTERNATIONAL READING ASSOCIATION'S OUTSTANDING DISSERTATION AWARD , which, has been given yearly since 1964, recognizes exceptional cont ributions made by doctoral students in reading or related fields. Cand idates may he self-nominated or nominated by their dissertation adviso rs. Each submits a monograph based on the dissertation, which must hav e been completed during the previous academic year. These monographs u ndergo rigorous review by the IRA Subcommittee on the Outstanding Diss ertation Award. The winner and other finalists are recognized at IRA's Annual Convention in April or May. The award also carries with it a m onetary prize made possible by a donation from Silver Burdett & Ginn, Int., a U.S. educational publishing house. The following summary of th e 1998 award-winning dissertation has been provided for RRQ by its aut hor.