The Efficacy of a Reading Remediation Program for Ethnically and Economicalijy Diverse At-risk Readers

A compelling body of research indicates that English language learners andlor students who live in poverty are at-risk for reading failure. This study uses data to assess the effectiveness of a mandatory, eight-week, intensive reading remediation program for English language learners and other students identified with reading failure. Results indicated that students received widespread nonsignificant gains on a repeated measure of reading achievement two months post-intervention; however students in seventh grade, students who received Title 1 services during the previous year, and Hispanic students demonstrated significant gains. Results also indicated that consistent attendance at the reading intervention produced significant gains in reading achievement. Limitations and recommendations are discussed. The Graduate School University of Wisconsin Stout Menomonie, WI Acknowledgments I would like to greatly thank Dr. Jacalyn Weissenburger for her support and guidance throughout the process of completing my Ed.S. thesis. I would also like to thank Dr. Jim Byrd and Dr. Carolyn Heitz for being on my thesis committee. Words cannot express my thankfulness and appreciation to my wife, Sandy, for her practical support, encouragement, and faithfulness in prayer on my behalf, without whom this accomplishment would never have been possible. And as for my kids, Kirsten, Anna, Britta, and Erik, they are still cool! TABLE OF CONTENTS . . ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. u List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. vi ................................................................................................................................ List of Figures vi Chapter I: Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................. 5 ..................................................................................................................... Research Questions 5 ..................................................................................................................... Definition of Terms 6 Chapter 11: Literature Review ......................................................................................................... 7 ........................................................................................................ Reading Achievement Gaps 7 The Brain .................................................................................................................................. 1 1 Key Variables in Reading Failure ........................................................................................... 16 ............................................................................................................... Reading Interventions 21 ............................................................................................................ Chapter 111: Methodology 2 8 Settings and Participants ......................................................................................................... 28 ................................................................................................................. Summer Intervention 28 ......................................................................................................................... Instrumentation 32 Data Collection Procedures ..................................................................................................... 32 ........................................................................................................................... Data Analysis 3 3 Chapter IV: Results .................................................................................................................. 34 ............................................................................................................. Research Question One 34 ............................................................................................................ Research Question Two 40 .......................................................................................................... Research Question Three 44 ................................................................................................................ Chapter V: Discussion 4 9 Limitations .............................................................................................................................. 53 Recommendations .................................................................................................................... 54 ................................................................................................................................ Conclusion 54 ..................................................................................................................................... References 56