Education Commons^™

What Motivates Reluctant Male Readers?, Cheryl Ann Tartaglione

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to better understand the role of reading motivation in a group of students at the Thomas E. Bowe School in southern New Jersey. I wanted to what motivates this group of boys to read and how typical they might be to other reluctant male readers. Qualitative inquiry strategies such as surveys, student interviews, interactive graphic organizers and a teacher interview were used. Upon analyzing the data, motivation for reading was poor. However, student book choice and commonalities in genre selection were consistent with current research. Struggling male readers look for teacher input and …

Implementing Effective Instructional Reading Settings For English Learners, Kathryn Louise Quesada

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this study was, How do English Language (EL) teachers implement the most effective instructional reading setting for their students? As the percentage of English Learners is consistently increasing in the United States, the question in most schools is what reading setting is best for their instruction. This study focuses on both sheltered instruction (pull-out model) and coteaching instruction (push-in model) as common options for reading instruction. The author examines a school with a high English Learner population and their successes and challenges with several reading setting models. As a mixed-methods study, several types of data …

The Impact Of Reading Fluency Instruction On Reading Fluency, Abdul Wright

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this capstone was, how does reading fluency instruction impact reading fluency? The inspiration for this capstone sparked from the first year-end summative assessment that one teacher proctored, and the struggles those students faced on that assessment. Moreover, the author of this research study looks to examine the impact that reading fluency instruction has on students’ ability to read fluently. The majority of students at this charter school in Minneapolis are students who come from low income families. This study documents the impact that fluency instruction had on reading fluency and determines the following: 1) Reading …

How Can Incremental Rehearsal Be Used To Facilitate Successful Sight Word Acquisition For English Language Learners To Improve Their Sight Word Reading Ability?, Elliot Kohl

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this capstone was, how can Incremental Rehearsal be used to facilitate successful sight words acquisition for English Language Learners to improve their sight word reading ability? It documents one teacher’s creation of a curriculum unit that serves as an intervention for struggling English Language Learner readers in grades K – 3. It draws upon the research done on a flashcard drill method known as Incremental Rehearsal. With this method, the teacher created a curriculum to help struggling readers memorize a sight word vocabulary, with the intent of helping them increase their fluency. The author documents …

Classroom Environment And Effects On Adolescents’ Attitudes And Test Scores In Reading, Kirstin Sue Bailey

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Does the classroom environment have a positive effect on adolescents’ attitudes and test scores in reading? This research project was completed with sixteen students who participated in an Alternative Learning Program. Students were given one survey in October, prior to changes in the classroom, and another in January, after changes had been made. They were also given an electronic, standardized assessment at the beginning of the school year and another in January. Findings suggest the importance of allowing students to choose what they read, giving students at least 20 minutes to read during class, and creating comfortable seating during reading …

‘What Do You Do With An Idea?’ Differentiating A Fourth -Grade Reading Curriculum Using Gardner’S Theory Of Multiple Intelligences, Medora Elaine Schou

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This curriculum­based capstone answers the research question: How can a fourth­grade reading curriculum be differentiated using Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences? The research examines the value in differentiating curriculum to meet the needs of learners within classrooms. In addition, the author explores literature on best practices in differentiated reading instruction and its connection to MI theory. A twenty day unit was developed using an Understanding by Design framework (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005), wherein Common Core State Standards form the basis for established goals. Student interest, readiness, learning profile, and choice drive the learning activities and assessment options throughout the unit. …

Adverbial Clauses In 4th Grade Science Textbooks: A Structural And Functional Analysis, Nicole Renee Tuchscherer

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research questions in this Capstone address the use of adverbial clauses in 4th grade science texts including their frequency, position within the sentence, and meanings. The researcher also did a comparison across texts to find differences and similarities in use between publishers. The research was conducted through a functional language analysis of four textbooks. Results indicate that although the use of adverbial clauses varies greatly from text to text, they do occur in 4th grade science texts and should be addressed by educators in order to help increase students’ scientific literacy.

The Impact Of Collaborative Professional Development Between Classroom Teachers And Reading Recovery Teachers, Tessa Abrahamson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This capstone explores the impact that collaborative professional development between classroom teachers and reading recovery teacher can have on the quality of instruction and on student growth. A mixed-methods approach was used in this action research study including a literacy assessment that was administered to students before and after professional development, observations, and surveys. The data were examined and revealed that working collaboratively is beneficial for teachers and students. Professional development is a powerful tool to help improve instruction when used appropriately.

Motivating First Grade Struggling Readers Through Comprehension Strategy Instruction, Jessica Annmarie Nivala

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this capstone was, how does the explicit teaching of comprehension strategies to first grade struggling readers increase their motivation to read? It documents one teacher’s experience of implementing explicit comprehension strategy instruction during reading workshop through the use of the gradual release of responsibility model and examines its effect on motivation of struggling readers. The project integrates whole group and small group instruction and motivational practices for three first grade struggling readers. The author details the comprehension lessons that were taught, and documents observations of the participants’ engagement. She describes her successes and concludes that …

The Experience Of Reading: What Elementary Children Think Of Reading, Francesca Simpson

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

As students with disabilities prepare to move from high school to vocations or post-secondary schooling it is essential they be able to self-advocate for their needed services. During their public school years, school psychologists, counselors, and other school administrative personnel are responsible for ensuring they are provided with an “appropriate,” barrier-free education under federal law. But upon graduation from high school, that responsibility shifts entirely onto the individual. In order to self-advocate successfully a student with a disability must know about their cognitive strengths and weaknesses. In regards to learning the student must be able to describe them to others …

The Effect Technology Has On Student Comprehension And Motivation, Paul Richard Holland

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project was, why do students in a sixth grade classroom using an electronic device to read display different comprehension and motivational levels than students with printed texts? The motivating factor for this capstone was the increased use of electronic devices in the classroom. It documents the changes in students’ comprehension and motivation over a six week time period. Data was collected in a variety of ways such as surveys, student interviews, journals, and comprehension quizzes. Although there were limitations and areas to improve in future studies, results showed student choice plays a significant role …

The Effect Of A Self-Regulated Vocabulary Intervention On Word Knowledge, Reading Comprehension, And Self-Regulated Learning For Elementary English Language Learners, Qizhen Deng

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

English language learners (ELLs) represent an increasing population in U.S. public schools. Research reports from the past two decades suggest a persistent reading underachievement for ELLs. Academic vocabulary knowledge, due to its frequent use in academic texts, contributes significantly to ELL children’s English language development, reading comprehension, and general academic achievement. However, a gap of vocabulary knowledge exists between ELLs and their mainstream peers. One potential approach to address this issue is to help ELLs become mastery independent and proactive word learners. This study examined the effect of a researcher-led self-regulated vocabulary intervention on word knowledge, reading comprehension, and self-regulated …

Exploring Effective Reading Strategies That Promote Higher Level Thinking And Comprehension For A Chinese-Speaking College Student, Panyang Wu

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

The purpose of the case study was to explore some effective literacy strategies that prompt higher-level thinking abilities to help one Chinese English as Foreign Language (EFL) student who struggles with academic reading in college classes at a small, liberal arts college. Only one participant named Cathy was involved in the study. Cathy is a Chinese student who studied at college as a regular undergraduate student and had poor performance in her college level literacy class, as indicated by her professors and Cathy herself. Cathy was expected to improve reading comprehension by receiving an intensive one-month reading development intervention, which …

Increasing Motivation To Improve Reading Comprehension, Katelyn Larson, Kelsey Ledger, Ashley Mastel

Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers

This action research study focused on the effects implementing multiple reading strategies and reading activities had on student reading comprehension and motivation. Research was conducted with 56 students from a first grade, fifth grade, and seventh grade classroom. Data was collected from comprehension assessments, teacher observations, and the implementation of a book challenge adapted from The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller. Activities from the book challenge included student self reflections, book reviews, reading journals, and student to teacher letter correspondences about reading experiences. Results indicated that student reading comprehension in each classroom improved …

Literacy Across Disciplines: An Investigation Of Text Used In Content-Specific Classrooms, Pam Mcdonald

Honors Scholar Theses

This pilot study focused on literacy in secondary settings, where classes are content-specific and organized into varying levels. Teacher views on literacy instruction as well as the types of texts used across the disciplines and course levels were explored. The following research questions guided the study: 1) Do early high school teachers view their class’ reading tasks as more discipline- or content-focused? 2) Does the complexity of the texts assigned in early high school vary across the various course levels? 3) Does the complexity of the texts assigned in early high school vary across the disciplines? 4) Does the authenticity …

How Does Young Adult Literature Foster Reading Growth In The Striving Secondary Reader?, Elizabeth Catherine Jensen

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this curriculum development projects was, how does young adult literature foster reading growth in the striving secondary reader? The author researched issues surrounding current literacy intervention practices, motivation and engagement of secondary readers, and the issues surrounding striving secondary readers. The author focuses on the research of Gallagher, Ivey, and Guthrie as a basis for the curriculum developed. The curriculum project also focuses on the use of Young Adult Literature as a means of intervention for striving secondary readers. The author created an annotated text set of Young Adult Literature that focuses on texts from …

Class 6 School Factors In Afghanistan 2013 : The Relationship Between School Factors And Student Outcomes From A Learning Assessment Of Mathematical, Reading And Writing Literacy, Tim Friedman, Sally Robertson, Stephanie Templeton, Maurice Walker

Dr Tim Friedman

In 2012, the Ministry of Education, Afghanistan, engaged the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) as a partner to support the development of a national learning assessment program in Afghanistan. To achieve this goal, the Learning Assessment unit of the Ministry of Education and ACER have collaborated to design and implement the Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) program in Afghanistan. MTEG is designed as a long-term monitoring program with one focus on trends in achievement outcomes in single class levels over time, and another focus on the growth of achievement in cohorts throughout the school cycle, from Class 3 …

Effects Of Parent Child Interaction And Language Stimulation On Children's Language Development, Rachel E. Timm, Helen Raikes

UCARE Research Products

Research Questions:

• Does parent positive regard relate to a child’s receptive language development?

• Does language stimulation relate to a child’s receptive language development?

• Does parent bookreading behavior (reading fluency, reading intonation/animation, comfort level, and child involvement) relate to a child’s receptive language development?

Measures:

• Preschool Language Scale-5 (PLS-5)
• Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-4 (PPVT-4)
• HOME Language and Literacy Scale
• Video Codes from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care

Results:

• Positive regard was not significantly related to the PLS-5 or the PPVT-4.
• The HOME Language and Literacy Scale was a significant predictor of the PPVT-4 and was related to the PLS-5 …

How Fostering Parent/Teacher Communication Impacts Literacy Development In The Primary Grades, Melissa Ann Hibbard

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed is, How can fostering parent/teacher communication impact literacy development in the primary grades? This capstone provides research proving the importance of communication between educators and families to increase literacy success for children. To answer the research question a resource toolbox was created and included in the Appendix as a practical tool for teachers and parents to utilize. The resource toolbox includes two categories of tools; communication tools, and literacy tools. The focus in regards to teachers, was tools to enhance efficient, and effective communication with parents. The focus in regards to parents, was to provide reading …

Reading As A Necessity: Best Practices For Incorporating Reading Into One English Course, Kristin M. Janssen

Master of Education Program Theses

This action research project investigated the best practices of teaching reading in a middle school curriculum requiring reading and writing to be combined in one English course. A private middle school in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, was evaluated on its use of the best practices. The participants were 24 teachers of 13 different subjects taught to students in seventh and eighth grade. All middle school teachers were sent a survey including questions about the best practices of reading across the curriculum, integrated instruction, and cooperative learning. The results of this study suggested that best practices of reading instruction …

The Efficacy Of Structured Repeated Reading As A Method To Increase Reading Fluency, Ryan Capriotti

All Capstone Projects

Since reading is such a significant component of student success, it is important to perform research to determine which reading strategies and approaches are most effective. The purpose of this study was to explore Structured Repeated Reading as a beneficial reading strategy, in particular with students diagnosed with a reading disorder. There were eight students that participated in the study, all with similar reading difficulties and all that have been diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) in the area of Reading. Specifically, four of the students were educated in an instructional, resource room setting (I), and four of the …

Escaping The Remedial Curse: An Evaluation Of The Impact Of A Credit-Bearing Alternative To Traditional Developmental Education, Daniel J. Super

Dissertations

This study examined the impact of a credit-bearing intervention literacy course taught at a southeastern United States four-year public university on student retention rates and cumulative grade point average. Undergraduate students (N=1,038) entering the university from fall 2010 to spring 2013 classified as not college ready were assigned to the course as an alternative to a more traditional non-credit bearing developmental reading course.

Using binary logistic regression and hierarchical linear regression, two dependent outcome variables related to student success were measured to infer course effects: twoyear retention status, defined as enrolling at the institution two years successful course completion, and …

Class 6 School Factors In Afghanistan 2013 : The Relationship Between School Factors And Student Outcomes From A Learning Assessment Of Mathematical, Reading And Writing Literacy, Tim Friedman, Sally Robertson, Stephanie Templeton, Maurice Walker

Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG)

In 2012, the Ministry of Education, Afghanistan, engaged the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) as a partner to support the development of a national learning assessment program in Afghanistan. To achieve this goal, the Learning Assessment unit of the Ministry of Education and ACER have collaborated to design and implement the Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) program in Afghanistan. MTEG is designed as a long-term monitoring program with one focus on trends in achievement outcomes in single class levels over time, and another focus on the growth of achievement in cohorts throughout the school cycle, from Class 3 …

Monitoring Trends In Educational Growth In Afghanistan : Class 6 School Factors 2013, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG)

In 2012, the Ministry of Education, Afghanistan, engaged the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) as a partner to support the development of a national learning assessment program in Afghanistan. To achieve this goal, the Learning Assessment unit of the Ministry of Education and ACER have collaborated to design and implement the Monitoring Trends in Educational Growth (MTEG) program in Afghanistan. MTEG is designed as a long-term monitoring program with one focus on trends in achievement outcomes in single class levels over time, and another focus on the growth of achievement in cohorts throughout the school cycle, from Class 3 …

Strengthening Tier 1 Elementary Reading Within A Multi-Tiered System Of Support, Carla N. Osborn

Masters Theses

Training teachers about the foundational reading skills is an important step in creating students who are proficient readers. However, training is not enough. Teachers need support through instructional coaching. Even with coaching support, sustainability of these practices will be a challenge if systems are not in place throughout the district to support ongoing implementation. By combining the processes of creating a Multi-Tiered System of Support, reading training, and instructional coaching, sustainability of practices can be possible. Research does not currently exist as to whether the combination of these efforts has increased student achievement in reading at the elementary level. This …

Teaching Teachers To Teach By Teaching Readers To Read, Dawan Coombs

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Struggling readers fill today’s secondary classrooms in alarming numbers. Although numerous programs remediate these readers, research shows students need more than strategy instruction to read successfully. Reading difficulties result from a complex combination of social, cognitive, and affective factors that can only be addressed through meaningful instruction within the context of trusting student-teacher relationships using approaches that draw on students’ interests and cultures.

Solomon Islands Standardised Tests Of Achievement (Sista). English And Mathematics. Year 4 And Year 6. Report 1 Main Study 2015, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Assessment and Reporting

The SISTA program is a key monitoring tool of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and has the capacity to serve multiple functions to a wide range of educational stakeholders. This report provides analysis of year 4 and year 6 Literacy and Numeracy of SISTA 2015. It is both a technical report for NEAD that includes descriptions of the processes followed in data analysis and reporting and the theoretical underpinnings of the analysis, a summary of the findings of the analysis and the implications for further analysis; and a report for the wider MEHRD staff that …

Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics: Audit Of Curricula, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Assessment and Reporting

An early step in developing an assessment framework for the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) was determining how to design and construct a single assessment program across all ASEAN member countries. This step needed to take account of the similarities and differences in the curriculum frameworks in each country for the four domains to be assessed through SEA-PLM: Mathematics, Reading, Writing and Global Citizenship. This account was achieved through an audit of the curriculum materials from 11 ASEAN countries, comprising those countries already participating in the SEA-PLM field trial, and others likely to join SEAPLM in the future. The …

Using Critical-Thinking Strategies To Develop Academic Reading Skills Among Saudi Iep Students, Betsy Lindeman Wong

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project researches the question, What should be included in a criticalthinking curricular resource guide to address Saudi IEP students’ difficulties with academic reading skills? The author reviews literature documenting the mismatch between the way reading is perceived and taught in Saudi Arabia versus the United States and describes the resulting challenges for Saudi IEP learners seeking to transition to American degree programs. These findings, along with researchers’ recommendations for incorporating critical-thinking strategies into academic reading and writing instruction, inform the design of the author’s curricular resource guide. The guide supports teachers by mapping out specific critical-thinking and reading …

Reframing Venerable Standpoints About Language And Learning Differences: The Need For Research On The Literate Lives Of Latina/O Language Minority Students, Taucia González, Alfredo J. Artiles

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Despite the empirical attention that has been devoted to Latinas/os, language minority (LM) students, and students with learning disabilities (LD) as three separate subgroups, limited attention has been given to Latina/o students that fall into both LM and LD student categories. The literacy experiences of students living at the intersection of ethnic, language, and ability differences have been under-examined. This article calls for new insights into the literate lives of Latina/o LMs with LD, and posits that reframing cognitive models of literacy, sociocultural approaches, and resource pedagogies can offer a more comprehensive view of literacy and population complexity.