Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 5-26-2009 Effects of Repeated Readings on Reading Abilities of English Language Learners with Specific Learning Disabilities Katrina G. Landa Florida International University, [email protected] DOI:10.25148/etd.FI09070601 Follow this and additional works at:https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Landa, Katrina G., "Effects of Repeated Readings on Reading Abilities of English Language Learners with Specific Learning Disabilities" (2009).FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 82. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/82 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida EFFECTS OF REPEATED READINGS ON READING ABILITIES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION in EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION by Katrina G. Landa 2009 DEDICATION I dedicate this work to Cristian and Isabella. Thanks for taking this journey with me. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank the members of my committee Major Professor Dr. Patricia M. Barbetta, Dr. Benjamin Baez, Dr. Elizabeth Cramer, and Dr. Diana Valle-Riestra for their honesty and support. This project would not have been possible without them. I want to extend a special thanks to Dr. Ann Nevin, who first taught me about single subject design and whose enthusiasm taught me to love it. Also, I would like to thank Liliana Salazar and Lissette Robles for their support, input, and time dedicated to this study. Throughout my tenure at FIU, I have found my fellow students, the faculty, and staff most supportive and thoughtful. I am grateful for everyone I have met while I worked on my doctorate and every experience this has entailed. iv ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION EFFECTS OF REPEATED READINGS ON READING ABILITIES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES by Katrina G. Landa Florida International University, 2009 Miami, Florida Professor Patricia M. Barbetta, Major Professor This study investigated the effects of repeated readings on the reading abilities of 4, third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade English language learners (ELLs) with specific learning disabilities (SLD). A multiple baseline probe design across subjects was used to explore the effects of repeated readings on four dependent variables: reading fluency (words read correctly per minute; wpm), number of errors per minute (epm), types of errors per minute, and answer to literal comprehension questions. Data were collected and analyzed during baseline, intervention, generalization probes, and maintenance probes. Throughout the baseline and intervention phases, participants read a passage aloud and received error correction feedback. During baseline, this was followed by fluency and literal comprehension question assessments. During intervention, this was followed by two oral repeated readings of the passage. Then the fluency and literal comprehension question assessments were administered. Generalization probes followed approximately 25% of all sessions and consisted of a single reading of a new passage at the same readability level. Maintenance sessions occurred 2-, 4-, and 6-weeks after the intervention ended. v The results of this study indicated that repeated readings had a positive effect on the reading abilities of ELLs with SLD. Participants read more wpm, made fewer epm, and answered more literal comprehension questions correctly. Additionally, on average, generalization scores were higher in intervention than in baseline. Maintenance scores were varied when compared to the last day of intervention, however, with the exception of the number of hesitations committed per minute maintenance scores were higher than baseline means. This study demonstrated that repeated readings improved the reading abilities of ELLs with SLD and that gains were generalized to untaught passages. Maintenance probes 2-, 4-, and 6- weeks following intervention indicated that mean reading fluency, errors per minute, and correct answers to literal comprehensive questions remained above baseline levels. Future research should investigate the use of repeated readings in ELLs with SLD at various stages of reading acquisition. Further, future investigations may examine how repeated readings can be integrated into classroom instruction and assessments. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................1 Purpose of the Study...............................................................................................6 Statement of the Problem........................................................................................7 Research Questions...............................................................................................10 Operational Definitions.........................................................................................11 Summary...............................................................................................................17 II. LITERATURE REVIEW.....................................................................................20 Characteristics of Students Who Do and Do Not Read Well...............................20 English Language Learners and Reading.............................................................22 Students with Specific Learning Disabilities and Reading...................................24 English Language Learners with Specific Learning Disabilities and Reading.....26 Repeated Readings................................................................................................27 English Language Learners and Repeated Readings............................................28 Students with Specific Learning Disabilities and Repeated Readings.................30 English Language Learners with Specific Learning Disabilities and Repeated Readings................................................................................................35 Summary...............................................................................................................36 III. METHOD.............................................................................................................40 Participants............................................................................................................40 Setting...................................................................................................................45 Materials...............................................................................................................45 Dependent Variables.............................................................................................50 Interobserver Agreement......................................................................................52 Treatment Fidelity.................................................................................................53 Experimental Design.............................................................................................55 General Procedures...............................................................................................56 Summary...............................................................................................................63 IV. RESULTS.............................................................................................................66 Treatment Fidelity.................................................................................................66 Interobserver Agreement......................................................................................67 Reading Fluency...................................................................................................67 Number and Types of Errors Per Minute..............................................................77 Correct Answers to Literal Comprehension Questions......................................115 Summary.............................................................................................................127 VI. DISCUSSION.....................................................................................................129 Reading Fluency.................................................................................................130 Errors Per Minute................................................................................................131 vii Types of Errors Per Minute.................................................................................133 Correct Answers to Literal Comprehension Questions......................................134 Repeated Readings Summary.............................................................................135 Implications for Practice.....................................................................................137 Delimitations.......................................................................................................138 Limitations..........................................................................................................139 Suggestions future Research...............................................................................140 Summary.............................................................................................................142 REFERENCES...............................................................................................................145 APPENDICES................................................................................................................151 VITA .............................................................................................................................167 viii LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1. Demographic and Analytical Reading Inventory Data...........................................43 2. Individual Means on Reading Fluency...................................................................70 3. Mean Reading Fluency in Comparison Sessions and Generalization Probes.........71 4. Maintenance on Reading Fluency ..........................................................................72 5. Individual Means on Number of Errors Per Minute...............................................80 6. Mean Errors Per Minute in Comparison Sessions and Generalization Probes.......82 (cid:1) 7. Maintenance on Errors Per Minute.........................................................................83 8. Individual Means for Types of Errors Per Minute..................................................85 9. Mean Types of Errors Per Minute in Comparison Sessions and Generalization Probes......................................................................................................................89 10. Maintenance Performance on Types of Errors Per Minute....................................90 11. Individual Means on Correct Answers to Literal Comprehension Questions......118 12. Mean Correct Answers to Literal Comprehension Questions in Sessions and Generalization Probes...........................................................................................120 (cid:1) 13. Maintenance Performance on Correct Answers to Literal Comprehension Questions...............................................................................................................121 (cid:1) (cid:1) ix
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