The focus of this research was to investigate and clarify the daily work lives of elementary reading coaches in central Florida by studying their background, academic and professional experiences. The beliefs and perceptions of the reading coaches on factors that influence reading achievement were examined. The responses from 96 participating elementary reading coaches were used to investigate (a) the relationship between demographic information, professional experiences, and academic background of the reading coach, (b) the percentage of time reading coaches engaged in specific coaching activities, and (c) the linkage between coaching activities and change in the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test developmental scale scores. Data from a web-based survey and personal interviews were used to collect pertinent data to understand the daily work lives of the elementary reading coaches and bring awareness to perceptions, successes and hindrances to the role and the impact on reading achievement. Descriptive statistics were used to present demographic, professional and academic information about the reading coaches. Multiple regression analyses were performed using time allocated to coaching activities and the change in reading achievement to determine existing relationships. Developmental scale score change was examined from the baseline year to the third year. Qualitative analyses were used to determine reading coach themes from the survey responses. Participant profiles, calling on the tenets of case study methodology, were developed based on the triangulated data. Narrative descriptions of coaching data for the participant profiles were organized by years of teaching experience of the reading coach. ii The results of the study indicated that reading coaches perceived coach-teacher collaboration to be the most influential activity affecting reading achievement. This perception was not congruent with finding of time spent and change on reading achievement. Recommendations were presented including a formalized understanding of the daily work lives of reading coaches by school districts, administrators and the reading coaches themselves.

The focus of this research was to study the association that reading motivation and reading achievement have with increased access to books provided by the non-profit program Book Trust, could have on urban elementary students, specifically second graders being educated in a large school district in Central Florida. Teacher data collection sheets, the Motivation to Read Profile (MRP): Reading Survey and the Florida Assessment for Instruction in Reading (FAIR) were used to measure the aforementioned associations. Findings revealed that increased access to books in these elementary schools did not have a statistically significant impact on reading motivation or reading achievement scores. In addition, teachers’ demographic data, such as age, number of years teaching or highest degree held, did not impact their student reading achievement.

The enrollment of English as a Second Language (ESL) students from Pre-K through Grade 12 increased 65% over a 10-year period from the 1993-1994 to the 2003-2004 school year. The number of ESL students in 2003-2004 was 10.1% of the total public school enrollment. ESL students are placed in different educational programs. Pullout programs have served low readers including English language learners (ELL). In the last 10 years, inclusion programs have gradually replaced pullout programs in some states. Little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of ESL programs on reading achievement. This study compared the improvements in reading of Grades 1 and 2 ESL students over two consecutive school years (2004-2006) in pullout programs and inclusion programs in a Midwest inner-city school district with a large population of ESL students. Additionally, strengths and weaknesses of each program as described by teachers were compared. Furthermore, teachers? frustrations and struggles in each program were examined as well. The results of descriptive analysis and ANCOVA indicate that type of program (pullout or inclusion) did not result in a statistical difference in ESL students? reading achievement. Two models for each program were found to be used in the school district. The results indicate that the guided reading approach was used in both programs and ESL students were instructed in small group setting, but the inclusion programs used longer instruction time than the pullout program. Scheduling in inclusion programs was easier than in pullout program. Teachers did not feel overloaded in either program. Interviewed teachers report students did not feel bothered by being pulled out; instead, they felt honored. Paraprofessionals were used in the classrooms to lead small groups during the reading block in inclusion programs, but they were sent to the classrooms to work with ESL students during the time of math, science, or social study in pullout programs. Teachers in inclusion programs did not worry about students missing anything, and every student?s needs were met. Collaboration and communication between teachers and resource teachers were the key to successfully operating either program, but they did not happen effortlessly.

No description available.

Jackson and Davis noted in Turning Points 2000, "Changes in middle grades practices have least often occurred where they are needed most: in high poverty urban and rural communities where unacceptably poor student achievement is rampant" (2000, p.5). Virginia has many school districts that fall into these categories. Even though they fall into these categories, middle schools across the state are still expected to have their students pass assessments at a high rate and meet state standards. The purpose of the study was to investigate and describe how one middle school went from being accredited with warning to making AYP and meeting high standards of academic achievement with at-risk students. Poor academic achievement is one of the most consistent predictors of dropout, whether measured through grades, test scores, or course failure (Alexander, Entwisle, & Kabbani, 2001). Investigating test scores and the research-based practices that may have influenced scores to improve in this particular middle school were the primary areas of study. The researcher utilized qualitative research methods to investigate a middle school that has been successful in improving the academic success rate for its at-risk students. The overarching research question for the study was What practices were used in this middle school to ensure the academic success of at-risk students? Research-based practices found in the literature to have influenced at-risk middle school students' achievement are (a) strong principal leadership, (b) focused curriculum and reading intervention, and (c) positive teacher-student relationships. The study attempted to determine which, if any of the practices were used by the school and if factors other than the practices identified for investigation may have contributed to the success of at-risk students in the school. / Ed. D.

The current study examined the phonological process of prosodic ability in a model of adult word reading and reading comprehension ability. All phonological tasks involve executive functions (EF) reflected in an individual’s flexibility for manipulating different components of language. To account for the EF demands involved in phonological tasks of reading, EF was assessed using measures of inhibitory control and switching attention as both a control variable and predictor in each model of reading. Two research questions guided the study: 1) Do prosodic ability and EF make independent contributions to word reading, and reading comprehension ability when controlling for the other? 2) Do prosodic ability and EF make unique contributions to word reading, and reading comprehension ability when controlling for the other, in addition to controlling for vocabulary, fluid (nonverbal) intelligence, rapid automatized naming (RAN - Digits), and phonological short-term memory (PSTM)? Participants were one hundred and three native-English speaking adults (18 to 55 years of age) recruited from Eastern Ontario. A total of 8 regression models were tested. The analyses revealed unique contributions of prosodic ability in adult word reading achievement, and EF in silent reading comprehension. Prosody’s contribution to word reading above EF supports prosodic awareness as a phonological skill that can be used to explain individual differences in word reading, whereas EF’s contribution to reading comprehension supports its’ role in more complex reading tasks. Prosody and EF represent constructs that warrant future consideration in models of reading. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-12-19 16:15:50.64

The purpose of this study is to determine if a phonetic approach to speech improvement has a relationship to reading achievement, sound discrimination, and developmental articulation at the first-grade level.

This was a study designed to investigate the effects of three independent variables in first-grade reading instruction on reading achievement and perceptual development. The independent variables included initial readiness level, type of instructional method, and sex of pupil. The major purpose of this study was to use an experimental setting to determine the relative effects of a multi-sensory perceptual training program combined with a basal-instruction program, as contrasted to an entirely conventional basal-reading program, on first-grade reading achievement and perceptual development during a school year.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the use of a middle school flexible interdisciplinary block schedule would increase eighth-grade students' reading scores, as measured by the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS). A 90-minute middle school flexible interdisciplinary block schedule served as the independent variable and was evaluated to determine its impact on student reading achievement. Extant data from the OAKS was used to assess student learning. Extant data from two groups of students were examined. The treatment group had their eighth-grade language arts and social studies classes scheduled into 90-minute flexible interdisciplinary block periods, taught by the same teacher. The comparison group had their eighth-grade language arts and social studies classes scheduled into traditional 45-minute departmentalized periods, taught by two separate teachers. The overall amount of time allocated to language arts and social studies instruction within the academic year was the same for both groups. However, the way the time was flexed and utilized within the class periods differed between the two groups. Research Question 1 addressed the possible increase in mean OAKS reading scores over time. Research Question 2 addressed the possible differences in the mean OAKS Reading Achievement Standards cut scores over time. The results of the two-year treatment condition of a FIBS for language arts instruction did not result in statistically significant results, as measured by the OAKS. The results suggest that there may not be a significant achievement difference between schools that implement an interdisciplinary scheduled compared to schools that implement a traditional, departmental approach.

Research has shown that parental involvement plays a crucial role in the academic achievement of students. A parent's involvement in a child's literacy development, especially in the Black Caribbean American community, is important because it helps the child become a life-long reader. The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to investigate the at-home literacy involvement of Black Caribbean American parents with their K-2 children in a small private religious school. Based upon Epstein's work on parental involvement, as well as Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler's role construction theory, the current study explored these parents' at-home literacy activities with their children, their perceived barriers to further involvement, and their receptivity to school support to overcome those barriers. Eight parents were interviewed. Inductive analyses, including repeated reading, color coding, and generating themes, were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed positive parental support in at-home literacy activities. Parents read to and played literacy games with their children, assisted with homework, and used a variety of materials including books and technology. Parents indicated a lack of communication between them and the school regarding what literacy instruction was being provided at school. Social change can come about by providing this information to the school staff and having them take action that assists all parents to become more effectively involved in their children's at-home literacy activities. This involvement may, in turn, result in improved reading skills and overall academic performance.