<p>Abstract:</p><p>The aim with this study is to discuss teachers’ individual views and thoughts regarding working with pupils with reading problems in foreign language learning. The study is based on qualitative research and includes interviews with four working teachers at the upper secondary level at one school. The main focus is to illustrate strategies expressed by the teachers involved in this study concerning pupils and reading problems in foreign language learning. Some of the earlier studies done regarding this subject emphasize motivation as a good strategy to use in school in order to pay more attention to pupils and encourage them to do better. Furthermore, teachers should work with literature in a new way, thus making use of the new technology available such as computers and projectors. New technology would make education more appealing and allow pupils to be involved with literature in a new way, familiar to the pupils’ daily life activities.</p><p>This study is done accordingly to the approach of two theories, namely phenomenography and reader-response theory. This study does not aim to show any right or wrong strategies from the teachers, it only assumes to show their own thoughts and views regarding this issue. Hopefully this study would help and bring new ideas to forthcoming teachers about reading disabilities and teaching strategies.</p>

Two models for learning disabilities (LD) identification are explicitly allowed in federal regulations: (a) ability-achievement discrepancy and (b) response to intervention. Dissatisfaction with both models has led to calls for a third model, which identifies a pattern of cognitive processing strengths and weaknesses (PSW model) as a marker of LD. However, little empirical research has investigated this proposed model. This study investigated two proposed approaches for implementing a PSW model: (a) the concordance/discordance model (C/DM) and (b) the cross battery assessment (XBA) approach. All 139 participants demonstrated inadequate response to a Tier 2 intervention in sixth or seventh grade. Following Tier 2 intervention, participants completed a comprehensive battery of cognitive and academic tests. I utilized results to empirically categorize each participant as either meeting or not meeting LD criteria according to the two PSW approaches at different academic deficit cut points. Resulting group status was utilized to determine: (a) LD identification rates, (b) agreement between approaches, and (c) the relative academic performance and sociodemographic characteristics of resulting groups. The number of participants that met LD criteria varied widely, dependent upon the approach and deficit cut point (range: 10.8% - 47.5%). More participants met criteria for both approaches at higher deficit cut points. More participants met C/DM criteria than XBA criteria at similar cut points. Agreement between the two approaches was generally low. Kappa ranged from -.04 - .56 when comparing classification decisions across different iterations of the two approaches. Comparisons of groups that met and did not meet C/DM and XBA criteria on external academic and sociodemographic variables were largely null. The results highlight several potential challenges to widespread implementation of a PSW model. Both approaches identified a low percentage of students, raising questions of efficiency. Low agreement is an inevitable result of measurement error and implementation differences between the two approaches. Such variability in classification decisions suggests the models may be incompatible and should be independently validated. Further, the failure to find qualitative differences in academic needs between groups that met and did not meet LD criteria for either approach raises questions about the utility of the identification model. / text

This study had three main purposes. First, the relationship between Processing Speed (Gs) and poor word recognition skills was examined. Second, various formats of processing speed tests that measure different types of processing speed (i.e. naming facility, perceptual speed, semantic speed, attention and concentration) were administered to determine what aspects of Gs were more strongly correlated with word reading performance. Pearson correlations and coefficients of determination were used to evaluate the strength of the relationships and the shared variance. Third, the study sample was evaluated to determine what percentage of the poor readers participating in the study had slow processing speed.Forty-four students in grades 1-3, ages six- to ten-years old were administered the Woodcock-Johnson III Achievement reading tests of Letter-Word Identification, Reading Fluency, and Word Attack. The subjects were additionally administered the Woodcock-Johnson III Cognitive Abilities tests of Verbal Comprehension, Visual-Auditory Learning, Sound Blending, Visual Matching, Numbers Reversed, Decision Speed, Rapid Picture Naming, Pair Cancellation, and Cross Out.The results of the study indicated processing speed, as measured by the Gs Cluster score, was strongly correlated with word reading, r = .749, r2=.56. The Gs tests of Visual Matching, (r = .663, r2 = .44) and Decision Speed (r = .811, r2 = .66) were most strongly correlated with poor word reading skill. The Basic Reading Skills Cluster and the Test of Letter-Word Identification were both moderately correlated at various strengths with different formats of Gs tests. Tests of Visual Matching, Rapid Picture Naming, Pair Cancellation and Cross Out all had a moderate, significant correlation.Lastly, 47% of the poor readers (SS<85 on any of the measures of>reading) also had low Gs scores (SS<85).The results from the study demonstrate the need for further exploration of the impact of poor Gs on the development of reading skills, as well as determination of the most effective interventions for poor readers with slow processing speed.

Students who struggle with reading are common in today’s middle school classrooms. This research used a socioecological framework to explore middle school teachers’ perceptions of struggling readers. As the notion of perception encompasses many influences, the research sought out teacher understandings of components and factors relating to reading difficulties, both intrinsic and extrinsic. As well, the study examined teacher views of struggling readers’ behaviours, affect, and the classroom implications of their difficulties. Finally, the study explored feelings of both competency and responsibility in the teaching of struggling readers. The research was carried out in three school districts in the Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands, BC area. Using a phenomenological case study approach, survey data from 35 respondents, and interview data from 10 participants were analyzed using both a within-case and cross-case analysis method. Identified common themes included teachers’ difficulty defining and assessing students who struggle with reading, and tending to attribute the difficulties to factors beyond their control. The teachers realized the correlation between reading difficulties and motivation but were unsure how to mitigate the ensuing behaviours in their classrooms. The participants believed that middle school students should be competent grade level readers and did not believe it their job to teach specific reading skills in content area classes. Although the teachers in this study wanted to do more to help their students who struggle with reading, they were constrained by a perceived lack of knowledge and time. The findings suggest that teachers, both pre-service and in-service, need more education about reading difficulties, classroom strategies and practice. The research indicates a need for more optimal use of specialist teacher time, literacy coaching, levelled resources, and a focus on the British Columbia Performance Standards. / Graduate

This diploma thesis called ?Phonological skills in prevention of readers difficulty? focuses on recognizing of the relationship between phonological skills and reading in czech (transparent) language environment. Theoretical part gives a definition of dyslexia and gives her typology. It delimits the causes, diagnostics, rectification and influence of dyslexia on a child. It advises how to work with pupils with dyslexia. Practical part contains own testing of pupils´ phonological skills. It describes procedure and the method of measurement, it gives description of exercises and gained experience.

Abstract: The aim with this study is to discuss teachers’ individual views and thoughts regarding working with pupils with reading problems in foreign language learning. The study is based on qualitative research and includes interviews with four working teachers at the upper secondary level at one school. The main focus is to illustrate strategies expressed by the teachers involved in this study concerning pupils and reading problems in foreign language learning. Some of the earlier studies done regarding this subject emphasize motivation as a good strategy to use in school in order to pay more attention to pupils and encourage them to do better. Furthermore, teachers should work with literature in a new way, thus making use of the new technology available such as computers and projectors. New technology would make education more appealing and allow pupils to be involved with literature in a new way, familiar to the pupils’ daily life activities. This study is done accordingly to the approach of two theories, namely phenomenography and reader-response theory. This study does not aim to show any right or wrong strategies from the teachers, it only assumes to show their own thoughts and views regarding this issue. Hopefully this study would help and bring new ideas to forthcoming teachers about reading disabilities and teaching strategies.

Approximately two-thirds of community college students nationwide are considered academically underprepared and required to enroll in at least one developmental education course (Anderson & Horn, 2012; Bailey, Jeong, & Cho, 2010; Levin & Colcagno, 2008). Unfortunately, researchers have found that enrollment in developmental classes often has adverse effects on community college students (Bailey et al., 2010; Grubb, 2001). Bailey et al. (2010) and Grubb (2001) explained that enrolling in developmental courses is time consuming and often results in delay or prevents the completion of a degree. With a significant number of underprepared community college students, it is important to develop effective methodologies to help students gain the skills required to be successful in college and future employment. It is equally important to determine how the student experience impacts academic progress and motivation to succeed in developmental programs and continue in college credit courses. Developmental reading courses provide the gateway to college-level courses, therefore it is important to investigate effective, time efficient reading interventions that provide students with the basic reading skills in a private and self-directed environment. Peterson, Burke, and Segura (1999) suggested that struggling readers have a desire for privacy, and ability for self-pacing. They want to be motivated, and receive immediate feedback. All of these are components of computer-based instruction. Unfortunately, there is a limited amount of research on the use of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) to teach developmental reading at the community college level (Bueno-Alastuey & Perez, 2014; Nguyen, Fichten, King, Barile, Mimouni, Havel, & Asuncion, 2013; Vassiliou, 2011). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the computer-based reading intervention, MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach (MVRC), on the reading and spelling achievement of community college students, and to explore whether or not students' perceptions and attitudes changed after participation in this program. Findings demonstrated statistically significant results in both reading and spelling and an increase in the enjoyment of reading.

This study is an attempt to show the extent of and the probable causes for reading difficulties, to give remedial procedure, and to record results for twenty second-grade pupils of the Elementary School, Plano, Texas. An intensive study of the twenty children was made with emphasis upon the improvement of reading ability. This study deals primarily with the investigate of factors in the creation of reading disabilities.

Twice Exceptional students, gifted students with learning disabilities, run a higher risk of becoming homebound and leaving primary school without grades. Supporting Twice Exceptional students in their reading development is a tricky track and research results are very limited. It is therefore necessary to contribute to new knowledge in the field. With our research review we aim to help teachers working with Twice Exceptional students, to support their 2E-students in their reading development. Adequate scientific articles were found through systematic searches in the ERIC and ERC databases which we gained access to through Malmö University's library. We have chosen ten peer reviewed articles, all processing results of how Twice Exceptional students learn best. The question for our research review is, How can 2E-students be supported in their reading development? The implementation of a thematic analysis showed themes to compile results from. These themes are: *Identifying Twice Exceptional students *Differences between Especially Gifted and Gifted with reading disabilities (2E) *2E students' need for support and challenges for continued reading development *Cognitive strategies and learning methods that leads to 2E students' reading development There are difficulties identifying Twice Exceptional students and an even bigger challenge to support Twice Exceptional students correctly. A clear majority of the results show that Twice Exceptional students need both support and challenge to benefit their reading development. 2E-students need to be taught learning strategies in their early school years and be able to be a part of the construction of the lessons. Unfortunately, the results also highlight teachers' knowledge gaps. Keywords 2E – Reading disabilities – Reading development - Support - Gifted - Twice Exceptional

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