The focus of this study is on evaluating the impact of a school counselor-led program, Ready for Success (RFS) on the academic achievement of second- and third grade students. The research question investigated in this study was: How do students in grades 2 and 3 who receive the RFS classroom intervention perform on the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) when compared to students in grades 2 and 3 who do not receive the RFS classroom intervention. This study is significant because it addresses the need for more outcome research tying school counselor led interventions to student achievement. Research based interventions for school counselors that improve academic achievement directly address the current focus on student achievement outcomes as well as the need for accountability of school counselors. The sample for this study included 240 participants, 107 in the treatment group and 133 in the comparison group. Students were selected from all second- and third-grade classes at four schools in South Florida. There were 66 participants in the second grade; 37 were male and 29 were female. There were 174 participants in the third grade; 92 were male and 82 were female. Academic achievement was measured using a standardized, objective, state-wide assessment instrument, the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI). The analysis used for this study was an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Pretest scores on the SRI were used in the study as covariates on the dependent variable to account for group differences at pretest. The statistical analysis shows that there was no significant difference between the comparison and treatment group reading achievement levels on the SRI. Upon further review of the research a significant, confounding variable was discovered. High concentration of non-ESOL students were in the comparison group as compared to the treatment group. / Further data exploration led to a discovery of variance in the fidelity of treatment, which may have also accounted for the given results. The lack of a significant finding may suggest the need for elements of the program to be adjusted particularly when considering that the two programs upon which RFS was based have been consistently shown to be effective. / by Michelle L. Goldberg. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Reading development in the Foundation Phase (FP) is central to children’s success as they progress through school. However, evaluations in South Africa such as the Annual National Assessments (ANAs) and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) (2006) show that reading achievement in the Foundation Phase is low, especially for children learning with African languages as their home language. This thesis examines pacing and sequencing in three Grade 1 literacy classes where isiXhosa is the language of learning and teaching (LOLT). The research took the form of a case study, focusing on the teachers’ classroom practice and how they understand their practice. Documents related to reading development in the Foundation Phase are analysed with regard to pacing and sequencing, examining how the curriculum frames literacy for teachers in the Foundation Phase. The teachers’ understanding in relation to their social context is also an important part of this research. In the thesis the way in which the teachers sequence and pace learning is analysed, drawing on Bernstein’s notions of internal and external framing, and Bourdieu’s notion of the habitus. The intended curriculum and the implemented curriculum are then compared. The results confirm that in low socio‐economic status (SES) schools, the level of poverty has an impact on teaching practice. The results also show that pacing and sequencing are reliant on the degree of planning amongst teachers. The level of development amongst learners also plays a role in how teachers organise their practice in order to differentiate the teaching of reading for all learners. The understanding that teachers have about their teaching practice are layered and influenced by their experiences, history and memories as teachers. The thesis concludes that there is a need to develop teachers’ understanding of planning and organising the teaching of reading, especially when the learners are from poor communities and do not get support in the home. In order for teachers to improve their practice, it is important for them to have the opportunity to reflect on and understand their practice.

Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study involves a qualitative and quantitative investigation into the promotion of reading by means media reading instructional strategies to Afrikaans grade 7 learners at one school. The research methodology used is a case study supported by a literature study. The aim of this study is five-fold. Firstly, based on the literature study, the study sets out to establish a theoretical framework for reading at school. This is related to three problem areas: poor reading comprehension, limited fluency in reading, and a negative attitude to reading. Underlying assumptions are that reading problems occur even in learners with above-average intellectual ability and that many learners cannot function optimally in society because they are poor readers. Instructional models and different approaches to teaching reading are explored. This study questions the efficacy of traditional approaches to reading instruction and makes a strong case for a balanced approach in which both topdown and bottom-up approaches are integrated in an interactive approach. Secondly, drawing on the literature survey the study provides a theoretical framework for using the media and technology in developing and improving reading. The role of visual literacy in the development of reading is also examined. It seems that learners have a strong interest in the media as well as technological aids so educators who have access to these should use them in the classroom. Thirdly, the study sets out to design media reading instructional strategies based on learners' interest in mass media, as well as technological aids. This is so that learners can be empowered with strategies that will enable them to successfully address their reading problems. The use of media reading instructional strategies is applied as an alternative to the traditional approach to reading instruction. The case study explores the use of media reading instructional strategies developed for grade 7 learners studying Afrikaans as a primary language and the extent to which this is successful. The learners are exposed to an instructional reading programme consisting of media reading strategies (designed by the researcher) for a period of 16 weeks. Data generation comprises individual diagnostic reading tests for learners, interviews with educators and learners and questionnaires administered to educators and learners. The literature study provides evidence that poor readers do not necessarily lack the intellectual ability to make sense of what they read or to read independently. Results from the case study support the findings that these learners have the ability to learn a variety of reading strategies which help them to apply the reading skills that enable them to read successfully. Although the learners in the experimental group still experienced problems with comprehension, they had made significant gains in reading fluency and developed a more positive attitude towards reading. The main conclusion is that interactive media reading instructional activities can make a meaningful contribution to learners with reading problems. According to the findings of this study, learners are more likely to read successfully and follow a successful academic career if their problems are diagnosed early and they receive the necessary help and support. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie was 'n kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe ondersoek na die bevordering van lees in Afrikaans by die graad 7-leerders van een skool deur die daarstelling van media-leesonderrigstrategieë. Die navorsingsmetode was 'n gevallestudie ondersteun deur 'n literatuurstudie. Die doelwit van die ondersoek was vyfvoudig. Ten eerste het die studie gepoog om op grand van die literatuurondersoek 'n teoretiese begranding van lees te verskaf. Dit sluit drie problematiese aspekte van lees in, naamlik gebrekkige leesbegrip en leesvlotheid en 'n negatiewe leeshouding. Die studie wys daarap dat leesprobleme manifesteer ten spyte van 'n bo-gemiddelde intellek en dat baie leerders nie optimaal in die samelewing kan fungeer nie omdat hulle swak lesers is. Verskillende benaderings tot die onderrig van lees is ondersoek. Die studie bevraagteken die effektiwiteit van tradisionele benaderings tot leesonderrig. Dit word ten sterkste aanbeveel dat 'n interaktiewe benadering gevolg word waar beide die top - down en bottom - up -benaderings geïntegreer word. Tweedens het die studie gepoog om vanuit die literatuurandersoek 'n teoretiese begranding van katalisators wat lees kan bevorder, naamlik media en tegnologiese hulpmiddele, te ondersoek. Die rol van visuele geletterdheid in die onderrig van lees is ondersoek. Die uitgangspunt was leerders se belangstelling in die media en tegnologiese hulpmiddele en dat opvoeders vandag toegang het tot 'n verskeidenheid media en tegnologiese hulpmiddele wat hulle van hulp kan wees met leesonderrig. Opvoeders moet hulself hiervan vergewis ten einde dit sinvol by die bestaande leesonderrigprogram te kan integreer. Derdens het die studie ten doel gehad om media-leesonderrigstrategieë te ontwerp wat gebaseer is op leerders se belangstelling in die media en tegnologiese hulpmiddele wat die swak leser in staat sal stel am sy / haar leesprobleme suksesvol aan te spreek. Die gebruik van die media-leesonderrigstrategieë is derhalwe aangewend as 'n alternatief tot die tradisionele benaderings van leesonderrig. Vierdens is hierdie media-Ieesonderrigstrategieë by wyse van 'n gevallestudie op die vlak van graad 7 in die vak Afrikaans geïmplementeer om die sukses daarvan te bepaal. Leerders is vir 16 weke aan 'n intervensie, 'n program bestaande uit media-leesonderrigstrategieë, in die Afrikaansperiode blootgestel. Datagenerering tydens hierdie tydperk van ses maande het behels individuele diagnostiese leestoetse vir leerders, onderhoude met opvoeders en leerders, en vraelyste wat deur opvoeders en leerders voltooi is. Uit die literatuurstudie was dit duidelik dat daar geen probleem was met die intellektuele vermoëns van die leerders nie en dat hulle wel oor die vermoë beskik om met begrip en onafhanklik te lees. Die resultate van die gevallestudie ondersteun hierdie bevinding dat die swak leser wel die vermoë het om strategies aan te leer wat hulle in staat sal stel om hul leesvaardighede te verbeter en met sukses te lees. Ten slote is daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat media-leesonderrigstrategieë wat deur middel van 'n interaktiewe benadering onderrig word, 'n betekenisvolle bydrae kan maak tot die bevordering van lees by leerders met leesprobleme. Alhoewel die leerders steeds met leesbegrip gesukkel het, het hulle leesvlotheid heelwat verbeter terwyl hulle ook 'n meer positiewe houding jeens lees gehad het. Daar is bevind dat ten spyte van leerders se leesprobleme hulle 'n baie goeie kans het om met sukses te lees en 'n suksesvolle loopbaan te volg, mits hulle betyds die nodige hulp en ondersteuning ontvang.