WWC Reviews Research on Adolescent Literacy Interventions

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Methods designed to improve adolescent literacy are the focus of three new WWC Intervention Reports in the topic area of Adolescent Literacy. The reports examine the research on Reading Mastery, Accelerated Reader™, and Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction.

Reading Mastery is for students in grades K–6 and can be used as a stand-alone program, a supplemental program, or as an intervention for struggling readers. Of the 175 studies reviewed by the WWC on Reading Mastery for adolescent learners, one study, a randomized controlled trial, meets WWC evidence standards. A second study, a quasi-experimental design, meets WWC evidence standards with reservations. These two studies included 361 fourth and fifth grade students who attended schools in the midwestern and northwestern United States. Based on these studies, the WWC found Reading Mastery to have potentially positive effects on reading fluency. It had no discernible effects on comprehension for adolescent learners. Read the full WWC report now at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/reports/adolescent_literacy/reading_mastery/

The Accelerated Reader™ guided reading intervention uses reading practice and computerized quizzes to supplement regular K–12 reading instruction. The WWC reviewed 318 studies on Accelerated Reader™. One study, a randomized controlled trial, meets WWC evidence standards. A second study, a quasi-experimental design, meets WWC evidence standards with reservations. The two studies include 2,877 students in grades 4 to 8 in Oregon and Texas. Based on these studies, the WWC found the Accelerated Reader™ to have no discernible effects on reading fluency or comprehension for adolescent learners. Read the full WWC report now at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/reports/adolescent_literacy/accel_read/

Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction (CORI) is a program that integrates reading and science in an effort to improve reading comprehension and increase reading engagement among students in grades 3 to 9. The WWC reviewed 48 studies on Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction for adolescent learners. None meet WWC evidence standards and the WWC is unable to draw any research-based conclusions about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction. Read the full WWC report now at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/reports/adolescent_literacy/cori/