The Effects of a Fluency Intervention Program on the Fluency and Comprehension Outcomes of Middle-School Students with Severe Reading Deficits

Abstract

Despite advances in the science of teaching reading, there still exists a small percentage of students who fail to make the expected progress in reading-related skills, notwithstanding attempts at intervention. Even if these struggling readers learn to decode adequately, fluency remains a problem for many, and little is known about the effectiveness of fluency interventions for older students with severe reading deficits. This study used a randomized experimental design to test the efficacy of a fluency intervention program on the word-identification and reading-comprehension outcomes of 60 middle-school students with severe reading delays. Results showed that students in the experimental group made more progress on standardized tests of reading fluency than students in the control group. No gains were seen in reading comprehension.

Two Studies of Tier II Literacy Development: Throwing Sixth Graders a Lifeline

“…In post hoc analyses, when we restricted the variance by creating groups of low, medium, and high readers within the struggling-reader group, we appeared to obtain a more accurate picture of the strength of the intervention. Our effect sizes appear to be very strong and can be contrasted with previous studies showing very small impacts on fluency, particularly in older struggling readers (Spencer, 2010;Torgesen et al, 2001;Vaughn et al, 2010). The MAZE and vocabulary results were discouraging, however, and perhaps our results may indicate that more sensitive and revealing measures in these areas are necessary.…”

Enhancing Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) Through Computer Assisted Repeated Reading (CARR)

“…The reading community states that reading fluency is a fundamental component in reading development (Hawkins, Hale, Sheeley, & Ling, 2011;Spencer & Manis, 2010) and dysfluent reading will affect students' reading comprehension competence negatively. The correlation between reading fluency and reading comprehension is apparent.…”

Response to Student Literacy Needs at Mother of Sorrows Catholic School

“…Older students who lack fundamental literacy skills require interventions in fluency and word study. According to research, effective fluency instruction includes four components: clear criteria for performance; systematic progression into more challenging material; implementation by adults; and, regular correction and feedback (Chard, Vaughn, & Tyler, 2002;National Reading Panel, 2000;Spencer & Manis, 2010;Therrien, 2004). Comprehensive word study programs address phonics, spelling, and word recognition.…”

“…According to research, effective fluency instruction includes four components: clear criteria for performance; systematic progression into more challenging material; implementation by adults; and regular correction and feedback (Chard et al, 2002;National Reading Panel, 2000;Spencer & Manis, 2010;Therrien, 2004). The fluency interventions implemented during this action research project were designed to meet these guidelines.…”