Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
Bee Crews
Committee Member
Jared Bucker
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
average percentile rank, computer assisted learning, control group, experimental group, Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, fall, Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test, grade 1, reading, reading ability, reading instruction, reading programs, Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, spring, stanine, vocabulary tests, Waterford Early Reading Program
Abstract
This applied dissertation study determines the effectiveness of the Waterford Early Reading Program and reviews the data collected using a control and experimental group. The data were collected from a pre- and posttest using the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test. Other tests given included the Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, 2000 and the Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test.
The study concluded that a measurable difference was indicated in the fall. Although the control group made a larger gain between the fall and spring, the experimental group’s average percentile rank in the fall was the same as the control group’s rank in the spring. This shows that the experimental group is entering Grade 1 at the same average that the control group is exiting Grade 1. Additionally 60% of the experimental group was above grade level, but only 43% of the control group students were above grade level. The extended scale score and the average stanine also showed that the experimental group had a higher overall average. The average percentile rank also indicated a higher average.