Research has demonstrated that many children and adolescents exhibiting behavior problems also evidence serious reading problems as well as a low self-efficacy (i.e., belief in their ability) toward reading. The consequences of these problems on both the student (e.g., dropping out of school) and society as a whole (e.g., cost to taxpayers) are serious and, in most cases, preventable. In order to prevent students from dropping out of school and to empower teachers with a method for removing disruptive students from the classroom, many states have implemented alternative education programs. The purpose of this study was to implement an effective reading intervention in a disciplinary alternative school where students were assigned from 20-40 days for infractions such as fighting, threatening others, and excessive office referrals. The design consisted of a series of 26 single-case AB studies. Subjects were ages 12-16 in a mid-sized city in Central Texas. There were 19 males and 7 females. Subjects were mostly of African American and Hispanic backgrounds, and the majority received some form of special education services. Data were analyzed using visual and statistical single case model techniques. Results suggest that an intensive oral reading fluency program can positively impact the oral reading fluency, accuracy, comprehension, self-efficacy toward reading, and social comparison with regard to the reading ability of students placed in a disciplinary alternative education program on a short-term basis.

Research has demonstrated that many children and adolescents exhibiting behavior problems also evidence serious reading problems as well as a low self-efficacy (i.e., belief in their ability) toward reading. The consequences of these problems on both the student (e.g., dropping out of school) and society as a whole (e.g., cost to taxpayers) are serious and, in most cases, preventable. In order to prevent students from dropping out of school and to empower teachers with a method for removing disruptive students from the classroom, many states have implemented alternative education programs. The purpose of this study was to implement an effective reading intervention in a disciplinary alternative school where students were assigned from 20-40 days for infractions such as fighting, threatening others, and excessive office referrals. The design consisted of a series of 26 single-case AB studies. Subjects were ages 12-16 in a mid-sized city in Central Texas. There were 19 males and 7 females. Subjects were mostly of African American and Hispanic backgrounds, and the majority received some form of special education services. Data were analyzed using visual and statistical single case model techniques. Results suggest that an intensive oral reading fluency program can positively impact the oral reading fluency, accuracy, comprehension, self-efficacy toward reading, and social comparison with regard to the reading ability of students placed in a disciplinary alternative education program on a short-term basis.

This study investigates key factors contributing to literacy development of underachieving readers in a junior secondary school. Two intervention programs designed to enhance the reading skills of eight underachieving readers in a junior secondary school were used. These eight individuals, of normal intelligence, had in common a history of reading difficulties. In the first of these programs eight students participated in a one-on-one reading intervention program using an adaptation of the program Making A Difference (Ministry of Education and Training, Victoria, 1992). In the second program four students from the above-mentioned cohort participated in a one-to-four intervention program involving the use of a Meta Language Awareness Program involving, among other things, Reciprocal Teaching (Palinscar and Brown 1985) procedures. The underlying premise to this study is that underachieving readers are characteristically non-strategic and that through two explicit methods of instruction used they can improve their reading. A key to helping the participants break the cycle of failure in reading is to help them make the connection between effort in the use of particular reading strategies and success in the reading process. This study reveals that struggling adolescent readers have many reasons for their difficulties with reading and require different approaches to the process of reading. However, with teacher persistence in appropriate conditions, and tailoring reading experiences to meet student needs, such individuals can become successful, engaged readers who enjoy reading. A detailed analysis of one case, ‘Sarah,’ is presented since “it can provide insight into the class of events from which the case has been drawn” (Burns, 1995, p. 320). Evidence measured in tests and anecdotal records illustrate general findings about Sarah and the other seven participants. Themes related to the participants’ ultimate success in reading are elaborated in this thesis, not because they are thought to be unique but because they will most likely be recognisable to other teachers of struggling adolescent readers.

Low reading proficiency rates have been observed throughout the United States including a rural school in southwestern New York State. Although the Outstanding School District (pseudonym) purchased i-Ready, an adaptive diagnostic and instructional program, only 35% of students in Grades 3 through 8 demonstrated proficiency in reading in 2018. The problem is that i-Ready has not been implemented as intended. The purpose of this case study was to investigate teachers' concerns related to implementation and use of i-Ready. The guiding research questions examined the teacher's most common concerns and challenges faced during implementation. The Concerns-Based Adoption Model served as the theoretical framework, specifically using the Stages of Concern dimension to discover feelings and perceptions of teachers. Purposeful, criterion-based sampling methods were applied resulting in 8 teachers being selected. Quantitative data were collected using the Stages of Concern Questionnaire. Analysis included converting raw scores to percentile scores, plotting each, and visually representing the findings. The results will provide information needed to make decisions about the use of the program, the challenges encountered in implementation, if professional development is needed, or if the program should be discontinued. Data analysis indicates concerns primarily in the “self” category indicative of limited use of i-Ready and challenges during implementation include limited time and information necessary about how to effectively use the program. The implications for social change include the potential of adding to existing literature on effective innovation implementation and further developing the knowledge base on effective reading interventions, which will lead to enhanced academic success and the ability of students to become productive members in their communities and societies.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to examine a reading initiative that was implemented with struggling 9^th grade regular education students at a high school in northern Virginia. Pre and post tests of the Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test (SDRT), 4^th Edition, were used to measure the reading performance of students enrolled in a reading intervention class compared to those in a control group. Attendance and discipline data were also collected and compared. Discussions with students enrolled in the reading class and representative artifacts (student work in portfolios, field notes from classroom observations and interview transcriptions) provided contextual elements to the study. The quantitative results of the study were mixed. There was no statistically significant difference between students enrolled in the reading intervention class compared to those in the control group on academic performance, attendance, or behavior. Participants in the reading class scored higher on scanning (F (1, 29) = 11.21, p = .00) and vocabulary (F (1, 29) = 5.96, p = .02) than those in the control group.Qualitative results indicated that students enrolled in the reading class who learned comprehension, scanning, and vocabulary strategies did not uniformly apply them during reading in core content areas (English, mathematics, science and social studies). / Ed. D.

abstract: ABSTRACT Due to variation that exists in providing Tier 2 reading intervention instruction, the purpose of the study was to identify processes and instructional strategies currently being utilized by K-2 teachers of the Gallup, New Mexico elementary schools. 17 teachers from 9 of the 10 elementary schools participated in the study. A survey instrument was designed and administered using Survey Monkey as the tool to collect the data on how teachers are implementing Tier 2 reading intervention instruction. Research Question 1 asked how teachers are currently implementing Tier 2 reading interventions as far as structure/processes, lesson planning, and collaboration. The highest percentages of teachers reported the following: one additional staff assisting grade level teachers, group sizes of 4-6 students, progress monitoring 6 or more times a year, using DIBELS scores for student placement, utilizing ability groups within the grade level with each having its own instructors, and instruction being provided 5 days a week for 30-35 minutes. Research Question 2 asked for teachers' opinions as to using available staff, instructions for benchmark students, and the amount and usefulness of meetings. A majority of teachers agreed to using all available staff, that accelerated learning opportunities are being provided to students performing at the benchmark level, and that meetings are occurring frequently and are useful. Research Question 3 inquired as to practices and processes teachers feel are effective as well as their recommendations for improving instruction and for professional development. Effective practices reported include: using phonics, decoding, and fluency; small group instruction; multi-sensory instruction or hands-on activities; Linda-Mood Bell programs; data analysis to group students; the Project Read program; word family/patterns; sight words; comprehension; materials and curriculum provided; and consistency with holding interventions daily. Though all reported feeling moderately to very confident in their ability to teach reading, they recommended that they learn more current, non-traditional strategies as well as receive more training in familiar approaches like ELL strategies, differentiated instruction, learning centers, and identifying reading difficulties. After a review of the data, the researcher recommends training teachers to conduct their own research to seek out strategies, programs, and resources; investing in and implementing an effective commercially produced Tier 2 program; and for teams to devote more time in developing, sharing, and revising lesson plans. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Administration and Supervision 2016

Due to the detrimental effects of apartheid on the South African learning environment the implementation of language policies aimed at fostering multilingual and multicultural education to attain educational equity are rendered impractical (DoE, 1995; de Wet, 2002; Pretorius, 2002b). As a result many L2 learners in English medium school are struggling to reach their academic potential due to their lack of cognitive academic English language proficiency. This study aimed to analyse the effects of L1 and L2 reading ability for high school learners’ who were exposed to a reading intervention over a two year period, compared with those who did not experience the intervention. The results indicated that although learners’ improved in their performance on measures of comprehension and vocabulary over time, those who were exposed to the additional experience of a reading intervention did not improve to a significantly greater extent than those who did not take part in the reading intervention. Furthermore, the reading intervention did not serve to significantly narrow the gap in reading ability between L1 and L2 learners. Reasons for the results, limitations to the study, recommendations for future research, and implications for the South African learning context are discussed.

Abstract Gwyn Randleff-Rasmussen An experimental intervention for reading fluency and comprehension using RAVE-O: A case study of one Grade 2 reading group in one Johannesburg school. RAVE-O (Retrieval, Automaticity, Vocabulary Elaboration (or Engagement with language) and Orthography) is a reading intervention developed using scientific principles specifically aimed at teaching dyslexic children to read. This study examines the effects of a RAVE-O intervention on fluency and comprehension in reading. It follows the application of the intervention by one teacher with a group of seven children with severe reading difficulties in a Johannesburg school, using participant observation to document how she adapted the resources and concepts of the program to meet the specific needs of the children in the group, over the course of one year. The results of reading tests administered before and after the intervention were compared. The generally positive results in reading fluency, comprehension, phonological awareness and RAN in this small group of children with reading difficulties indicate that the program would help in improving literacy outcomes in other South African contexts. The study highlights the specific difficulties encountered during the South African application with regard to the Americandeveloped materials and the constraints of the program in relation to the South African school timetable. It also elaborates on particular strengths of the program, primarily vocabulary acquisition and an increased engagement with and enjoyment of language.

Older students with reading difficulties struggle with high school academics and are at risk for not graduating. Despite a growing body of research on adolescent literacy in upper elementary and middle school, the research on high school reading interventions is relatively scant and not as promising as one would hope. Rather than assuming students know how to read well by the time they enter secondary schools, educators need to consider the reading skills students may be lacking as well as ensure that students remain motivated and engaged in learning. This study synthesizes the research findings from several studies on supplementary reading interventions for adolescents as well as research findings on how motivation is interwoven with adolescent literacy achievement. Previous research has examined motivation for reading by looking at intrinsic and avoidance motivation and forming reading profiles of students in fifth grade. My study brings these profiles to the high school level and investigates whether the reading profiles at the end of eighth grade predict reading achievement and motivation for ninth grade students in a reading intervention course and those not in a reading intervention. The study focuses on ninth grade, a pivotal year for students, and how students’ involvement in reading intervention courses prior to and in ninth grade predict student achievement on a reading comprehension measure, as well as their reading motivation and school engagement.