Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Barbara Christina
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
accelerated reader, attendance, family literacy, homework completion, language arts, learning strategies, literacy skills, Lit Kits, Middle School, parental involvement, reading achievement, reading recognition programs, reading skills, staff development, teacher professional development, Title I schools, limited English proficient (LEP) students, intervention programs, literacy interventions, Readers of the Month, student achievement, student support services, supplementary education programs, vocabulary development
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to provide assistance to struggling limited English proficient (LEP) students at a Title I Middle School. The goal was that 25 students would have access to additional supports to improve language arts grades, reading skills, and attendance in school. Parents were invited to participate.
The solution strategies included (a) incorporating books into the homes of the target group, known as Lit Kits, (b) creating staff development for teachers, (c) providing the target group an additional hour of school each day focusing on literacy skills, homework completion, and learning strategy skills, (d) implementing a monthly family literacy night specifically focusing on the family members of the target group students, and (e) initiating an all school monthly reading recognition program rewarding students who read and successfully passed Accelerated Reader quizzes.
At the end of the 32-weeks, results revealed improved grades and reading skills for many of the 25 students participating in the interventions. The host school had a significant increase in the amount of Readers of the Month from the year prior and an increase in parental attendance in the monthly family literacy nights. The teaching staff incorporated teaching and learning strategies into their lessons as well.