ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the ground rules and definitions under which Project on Adolescent Literacy (PAL) staff labored. It provides information on the process and methods by which staff arrived at their conclusions. The PAL staff established that developmental responsiveness would be a key feature of any successful program that works with young adolescents. Successful literacy programs for young adolescents must demonstrate their responsiveness to these seven developmental needs, but they must also demonstrate an ability to assist young adolescents in achieving higher levels of literacy. Comprehensive programs help students improve their skills while providing them with a rich variety of experiences within different literacy contexts. The PAL researchers decided on the case study approach as the best method of presenting a full picture of how successful literacy programs respond to developmental needs while helping students to achieve improved academic skills.
